University of Helsinki
The Education for Diversities Research Group has the pleasure to invite you to the following exciting event:
Thursday 8th September 2016, University of Helsinki, 4-6pm
Intercultural communication and immersion abroad: An online intervention
Jane Jackson, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Minerva, room K112, Siltavuorenpenger 5A
Abstract
Recent investigations of study abroad learning have drawn attention to the need for theory-based, research-driven interventions to optimize and extend sojourn learning. This presentation centers on Intercultural communication and engagement abroad, a fully online, credit-bearing course that has been designed to enhance the language and critical intercultural learning of international exchange students while they are in the host country. As well as digesting readings, powerpoint presentations, and video clips, the participants write reflective essays, exchange ideas online, and carry out fieldwork. After providing an overview of the course, this presentation will highlight key findings and discuss the challenges and benefits of offering a course of this nature. While this intervention was designed for students from a Hong Kong university, the potential implications for other study abroad programs and contexts will be discussed.
Bio
Jane Jackson (PhD, Toronto) is Professor in the English Department at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, where she teaches courses on language and intercultural communication, and research methods. She is the recipient of the University’s 2013 Education Award. Jane has had teaching and research experience in Canada, the United States, Egypt, Oman, the United Kingdom, Mainland China, and Hong Kong. She serves on the editorial boards of numerous journals in applied linguistics and intercultural communication. Her research centers on education abroad, identity, and language and intercultural communication. As well as numerous articles and book chapters, recent books include Introducing Language and Intercultural Communication (Routledge, 2014), The Routledge Handbook of Language and Intercultural Communication (Routledge, 2012) (Editor), Intercultural Journeys: From Study to Residence Abroad (Palgrave MacMillan, 2010), and Language, Identity, and Study Abroad: Sociocultural Perspectives (Equinox, 2008).
