A study of bilingual education students intercultural communication competence perceptions and acculturation strategies used in Thailand

Abstract

This study aimed to explore 1) the intercultural communication competence (ICC) perceptions of bilingual education students and 2) acculturation strategies that they used during their sojourn in Thailand. The research employed mixed methods to gather data by using a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. The research investigated 84 international students, with active student status in 2019, in Master of Education Program in Bilingual Education and English Language Teaching, Rangsit University, Thailand. The findings revealed that the participants perceived they were competent in intercultural communication. They were capable of communicating effectively and appropriately with people from different cultural backgrounds and understanding some Thai customs and taboos and cultural similarities and differences. In addition, they had open, curious, and respectful attitudes towards Thai language and culture. They used integration, one of the four acculturation strategies, during their sojourn in Thailand. The length of their stay in Thailand, their teaching experience, and intercultural communication training had positive impact on their perceptions of ICC and choices of acculturation strategies. The findings contributed to international students studying in this program, the host program, and Rangsit University. Future research was recommended to emphasize the perception of ICC and acculturation strategies of international students in other Thai universities, and an investigation of a larger number of students was recommended.