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Perceived Value and Challenges in Online Intercultural Communication: A Case Study of Japanese and Vietnamese Students

Time slot: 14:45 - 15:10 

Presenter(s) Fumiko Kurihara (Chuo University), Masami Negishi, Pham Thi Thu Giang, Thuy Dung Nguyen Thi (Vietnam Japan University)
AbstractThis presentation reports on an online intercultural communication project conducted between Japanese and Vietnamese university students, with 11 participants from each country. The program consisted of three sessions focusing on distinct topics: self-introductions, cultural exchange, and discussions on social issues. Data were collected through questionnaires administered after each session and upon completion of the program to evaluate the participants' experiences. The results indicate that while a large majority of students (85%) perceived the experience as a valuable opportunity for intercultural learning and would recommend it to peers, a significantly lower percentage (61.6%) reported high levels of intrinsic enjoyment during the interactions. This gap suggests a discrepancy between the perceived educational value and the immediate enjoyment of the communication process. This presentation will provide a detailed qualitative analysis of student comments to identify specific factors contributing to both positive perceptions and perceived challenges. The findings offer practical insights into how online intercultural exchange programs can be refined to enhance student engagement and maximize pedagogical effectiveness in future implementations.
Misc Chuo University (Japan) & Vietnam Japan University (Vietnam)

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