Speaker
Description
This presentation will introduce results from in-depth interviews with 18 high-profile Japanese professionals with vast international experience in a broad range of fields, including STEM, business, sports, art, music, hospitality, diplomacy, and education. We will discuss: 1. What strategies have successful Japanese professionals developed for effective intercultural communication? 2. Which intercultural competencies are perceived as key for students to live and work across cultures? 3. How can these competencies be fostered through foreign language education?
Abstract
Propelled by the industry, the Japanese government has encouraged schools and universities to foster interculturally competent graduates who can help to elevate the role of Japanese companies on the global stage (Yoshida, 2017). While educational institutions continue to emphasise mobility and foreign language programmes as means to an end, debate remains as regards the attitudes, knowledge, and skills deemed necessary (Hofmeyr, 2021; Sakamoto, 2022), and how these can be developed through education. This presentation will introduce results from in-depth interviews with 15 high-profile Japanese professionals with vast international experience in a broad range of fields, including STEM, business, sports, art, music, hospitality, diplomacy, and education. It aims to answer the following questions: 1. What strategies have highly successful Japanese professionals developed for effective intercultural communication? 2. Which intercultural competencies are perceived as key for students to live and work across cultures? 3. How can these competencies be fostered through foreign language education? Findings highlight the importance of focusing on content over fluency, communication skills targeted to the field of specialisation, bilingualism and plurilingualism beyond English, and mistakes as learning opportunities. Results also emphasise the need for students to develop cultural self-awareness, an appreciation of diversity, risk-taking skills, and resilience to thrive in intercultural environments. This presentation aims to challenge current educational practices and discuss the role of foreign language education in fostering intercultural competence among students in Japan.
Keywords
intercultural competence
foreign language education
Short summary
This presentation will explore how intercultural competence can be fostered in foreign language classrooms based on interviews with 15 public figures with vast international experience in a broad range of fields, including STEM, business, sports, art, music, hospitality, diplomacy, and education. We will discuss the strategies developed by these public figures to communicate, work, and live across cultures as well as how these competencies can be fostered through foreign language education in Japan.
References
Hofmeyr, A. S. (2021). Rethinking the concept of global human resources in the Japanese higher education context. Asia Pacific Journal of Education, 43(1), 62–78. https://doi.org/10.1080/02188791.2021.1889970
Sakamoto, F. (2022). Global competence in Japan: What do students really need? International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 91, 216–228. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2022.10.006
Yoshida, A. (2017). ’Global human resource development’ and Japanese university education: ‘Localism’ in actor discussions. Educational Studies in Japan: International Yearbook, 11, 83–99.
| Scheduling preference | Anytime on Saturday or Sunday |
|---|---|
| Title | Intercultural Competence in FL Classrooms: Voices from Public Figures |