Problems and Proposed Solutions for Communicative English of Chinese Students Learning in Intercultural Environment:A Case Study of  Wuming High School  in China

Feng  Chen; Kris  Lietz; Kitpinit  Usaho

Authors

Feng Chen North Bangkok University, Bangkok, Thailand
Kris Lietz North Bangkok University, Bangkok, Thailand
Kitpinit Usaho North Bangkok University, Bangkok, Thailand

Abstract

This study aims to: 1) investigate problems faced by Chinese students learning communicative English in an intercultural environment at Wuming High School; 2) construct effective improvement strategies based on these problems faced by Chinese students learning communicative English in an intercultural environment at Wuming High School. The research respondents were 350 students and 140 teachers from Wuming High School, selected through the stratified random sampling method. The main research tools included: 1) a questionnaire for investigating the problems faced by Chinese students learning communicative English in an intercultural environment at Wuming High School, and 2) a set of questions employed for the focus group discussion meeting for the approval of the constructed strategies. The collected data and information were analyzed and presented through frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. In addition, the comments towards the correctness and suitability of the constructed strategies were collected and analyzed through the Content Analysis Method. The research results expressed: 1) The students and teachers rated the problems faced by Chinese students learning English in a cross-cultural environment was found at the highest level (x̄ = 4.66, SD = 0.22); 2). Based on the research results, improvement strategies constructed, were divided into 5 chapters, namely: 1) learner level; 2) teacher level; 3) teaching materials level; 4) teaching facilities level; 5) teaching evaluation level. All the 5 chapters were evaluated and approved by the 3 specialists in terms of the correctness and suitability indicating that the constructed strategies are suitable as guidelines for the enhancement the effectiveness Chinese students learning communicative English in an intercultural environment at Wuming High School

References

Ashin Aggacara, Kittivajiro, P. S., & Thitavangso, P. V. (2024). A study of proficient spoken English skills for foreign students at M.A. English Program, Faculty of Humanity, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University. Journal of Asian Language Teaching and Learning (Online), 5(3), 143–155. https://so10.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/jote/article/view/1821

Bancha, W., & Bamrung, S. (2023). Strengthening the role of English as an international language through intercultural communicative competence in the context of the transformation period of Thailand 4.0. Journal of International Studies, Prince of Songkla University, 13(1), 125–169. https://so03.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/jis/article/view/263095

Banchong, P., Mutuwong, C., Ngoenbamrung, J., Mahantagasi, P., & Lawthong, N. (2023). Psychometric properties and factor of intercultural competence based on the intercultural development continuum for undergraduate students. Journal of Education Studies, Chulalongkorn University, 51(4), EDUCU5104009. https://doi.org/10.14456/educu.2023.36

Borbych, N. (2024). Adapting higher education to the challenges of globalization: Balancing global trends and local traditions. National Interest, 4(16), 22–31. https://sc01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/NIT/article/view/240988

Cancino, M., & Nuñez, I. (2023). EFL teachers’ perceptions towards multicultural classrooms: The role of intercultural sensitivity in developing intercultural communicative competence. REFLections, 30(3), 620–646. https://doi.org/10.61508/refl.v30i3.267833

Chaikasemwarakul, C., Paengkamhag, W., & Pansa, B. (2024). Development of English oral presentation model by using communicative activities for the second-year students of Bachelor of Education (Teaching English) (International Program), Faculty of Education, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University. Journal of Asian Language Teaching and Learning (Online), 5(3), 169–181. https://so10.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/jote/article/view/1823

Chuenta, S., & Klanrit, P. (2025). Using communicative language teaching and signpost questions to improve English reading comprehension ability of Prathomsuksa 6 students. Journal of Humanities and Social Science, Udorn Thani Rajabhat University, 14(1), 21–36. https://so06.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/hsudru/article/view/279928

Gu, X., & Jocuns, A. (2024). Comparative analysis and pedagogical implications of the “SFLEP” intercultural competence contest and intercultural competence test in Chinese ELT. Journal of Studies in the English Language, 19(1), 59–92. https://so04.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/jsel/article/view/270477

Hongwilai, A., Thanawutho, P. N., & Paengkamhag, W. (2025). Development of English writing skills of the second-year students in English major at Education Faculty with blended learning approach. Journal of Asian Language Teaching and Learning (Online), 6(1), 178–194. https://so10.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/jote/article/view/2323

Jian, R., & Chou, I.-W. (2025). The influence of intercultural communicative competence on the learning motivation of Thai students studying Chinese: The role of intercultural sensitivity as a mediating variable. Chinese Language and Culture Journal, 12(1), 273–292. https://so02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/clcjn/article/view/276117

Khamkhong, Y. (2021). Students’ perceptions towards the use of English language on social, academic and professional context. Academic Journal Phranakhon Rajabhat University, 12(1), 70–87. https://so01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/AJPU/article/view/244322

Khun Ye Thwe, Kittivajiro, P. S., & Thitavangso, P. V. (2024). A study of enhancing English vocabulary of Grade 4 students through communicative activities and games. Journal of Asian Language Teaching and Learning (Online), 5(3), 134–142. https://so10.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/jote/article/view/1820

LIU, H., & LIU, C. (2024). A qualitative study of intercultural adaptation of international students staying in Chinese universities: Take Southwest University as an example. Journal of Sinology and Chinese Language Education, 6(1), 90–100. https://so08.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/cikkuhygj/article/view/2974

Phattanaphong, T. (2020). Methods of teaching English as a second language including guidelines for language teaching. Journal of MCU Social Science Review, 6(2-02), 798–798. https://so03.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/jssr/article/view/242269

Suwansomsri, B. (2024). Development of English communication skills in various situations using the communicative approach theory, learning activities for Grade 6, Thepsatri Rajabhat University. Journal of Three-Science, 4(1), 23–36. https://so04.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/jts/article/view/278148

Ven. Indapala, Chantimachaiamorn, C., & Thitavangso, P. V. (2024). The development of English-speaking skill by using problem-based learning for the first-year B.A. students of Teaching English (International Program) in Education Faculty at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University. Journal of Asian Language Teaching and Learning (Online), 5(3), 37–49. https://so10.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/jote/article/view/1813

Wang, J., & Ren, X. (2025). A study of the intercultural competence and intercultural identity construction of volunteer Chinese language teachers. Chinese Language and Culture Journal, 12(1), 109–120. https://so02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/clcjn/article/view/264971

Wuttiphan, N. (2024). The development of instructional model based on intercultural communication approach to enhance Chinese speaking skills of undergraduate students. Rajapark Journal, 18(61), 388–407. https://so05.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/RJPJ/article/view/275273