A study of Chinese exchange students degrees of intercultural sensitivity and attitudes toward Thai language learning at a private university in Thailand

Abstract

This study was designed to examine Chinese exchange students’ degrees of intercultural sensitivity and attitudes toward Thai language learning. A mixed-methods approach was employed by quantitative and qualitative data. The questionnaire and interview as the instruments were adopted in this study. The participants consisted of 63 Chinese exchange students who participated in a Thai language program at a private university in Thailand. The students were requested to complete a questionnaire and then participated in a semi-structured interview. The descriptive statistical analysis was computed by Mean and Standard Deviation. The findings showed that 1) Chinese exchange students’ degree of intercultural sensitivity was high; 2) Chinese exchange students’ attitudes toward Thai language learning were moderate. The findings emphasized the significance of exchange programs for promoting intercultural sensitivity and positive attitudes toward language learning. It enlightens administrators and teachers who should reconsider the educational policy and pedagogical interventions to enhance the effectiveness of exchange programs for students. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that diversity and size of the sample should be increased. In addition, the impacts of the exchange program on other dimensions should be further considered