Event

Comparing Japanese, Cambodian, and Thai University Students: How Racial/Ethnic Attitudes, Intercultural Contact, Study Motivation, and English Ability Interact

Saturday, July 16th, 2005, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Speaker: Jeff Maggard

Research suggests that increasing cultural contacts and financial investments in NE and SE Asia are influencing the people of these regions as a byproduct of globalization. This series of studies investigated English proficiency, attitudes toward foreigners, and contact with foreigners among Japanese, Thai and Cambodian university students. Samples were collected from Japan (southern Kyushu). Cambodia (17 university EFL classes in Phnom Penh) and Thailand (randomly selected university classes in Bangkok). Results from the original study in Japan indicated that the contact variable was a significant factor in obtaining English proficiency. In Thailand and Cambodia this was not found to be the case. Moderate positive significant correlations were found between English proficiency and contact in Cambodia and Thailand but a number of other independent variables played a role and contact was not deemed to be the significant predictor of English ability these countries. Discussion focuses on relating the results to the social contexts of Japan, Cambodia, and Thailand and suggestions are made for future research.

Organization: Akita Chapter of the Japan Association for Language Teaching (Akita JALT)

Cost: JALT Members: free
Non-members: 1,000 yen for non-members, 500 yen for students

Venue: D-201, AIU Library, Akita International University

Location: Akita City, Akita Prefecture, Japan

Contact Akita JALT

Suzuki Takeshi

Work phone: 0184-22-1562