This study evaluates the educational impact of a practice-based intercultural education program involving foreign technical intern trainees, implemented with Japanese high school students. The program aimed to foster intercultural understanding and improve English learning motivation among 54 third-year students through structured interaction in English with three Mongolian trainees at a local hospital. It comprised seven sessions, including photolanguage, artifact exploration using National Museum of Ethnology materials, jigsaw reading, and a roundtable exchange. Pre- and post-program questionnaires (21 items, 4-point Likert scale) were administered to assess changes in students’ attitudes and motivation. Paired t-tests revealed statistically significant improvements in 8 of 21 items (p < .05), including willingness to talk to foreigners (t = −3.67, p < .001, d = 0.64), interest in diverse cultures (t = −3.03, p = .005, d = 0.53), and the desire to use English (t = −3.47, p = .002, d = −0.60). Medium effect sizes were also found in items related to belief that learning English can broaden future possibilities and the importance of expressing feelings in English. Additionally, qualitative data from students’ reflections were analyzed thematically and via text mining, revealing increased empathy, reduced anxiety about English communication, and more proactive intercultural engagement. These findings suggest that short-term, community-based intercultural programs can yield measurable effects on both cognitive and affective domains of global education. The program shows how local collaborations with foreign residents can serve as effective entry points for promoting intercultural awareness and enhancing English motivation in non-urban Japanese high schools.

Authors:
Tomoshige Yamaguchi, Hyogo Prefectural Yokawa High School, Japan
Rika Iwami, Hyogo University of Teacher Education, Japan

About the Presenter(s)
Mr.Tomoshige YAMAGUCHI is currently a graduate student in the Globalization Promotion Education Leader Course at Hyogo University of Teacher Education, Japan.His current project is an online exchange with overseas.

See this presentation on the full schedule – On Demand Schedule

Bookmark