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Measuring the Behavioral Dimension of Intercultural Communicative Competence among Study Abroad Students: Insights from Japanese Speech Style Shifting

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Title: Measuring the Behavioral Dimension of Intercultural Communicative Competence among Study Abroad Students: Insights from Japanese Speech Style Shifting
Language: English
Authors: Hiromi Tobaru
Source: Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad. 2025 37(3):122-153.
Availability: Frontiers Journal. Dickinson College P.O. Box 1773, Carlisle, PA 17013. Tel: 717-254-8858; Fax: 717-245-1677; Web site: https://www.frontiersjournal.org/index.php/Frontiers
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 32
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Intercultural Communication, Study Abroad, Undergraduate Students, Public Colleges, Research Universities, Second Language Learning, Student Behavior, Language Usage, Language Styles, Language Variation, Japanese
Geographic Terms: Japan, United States
DOI: 10.36366/frontiers.v37i3.878
ISSN: 1085-4568
2380-8144
Abstract: Measuring study-abroad (SA) students' intercultural communicative competence (ICC) has been a challenging task. Simply comparing pre- and post-SA language proficiency test results may not capture the full extent of ICC development. This study explores the behavioral dimension of ICC among SA students by examining changes in Japanese speech style shifting, thereby providing a nuanced understanding of ICC development. The mixed-methods analysis revealed that participants shifted their speech style more actively in post-SA interviews than in pre-SA interviews. Qualitative analysis further indicated that participants' style shifting in post-SA interviews helped them appear more approachable while maintaining an appropriate level of formality and politeness, which suggests growth in ICC. These findings emphasize the broader applicability of examining speech style-shifting across languages as a measure of the behavioral dimension of ICC in SA programs. The study also discusses pedagogical implications and offers directions for future research on measuring ICC in SA contexts.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1489358
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Measuring the Behavioral Dimension of Intercultural Communicative Competence among Study Abroad Students: Insights from Japanese Speech Style Shifting
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Frontiers%3A+The+Interdisciplinary+Journal+of+Study+Abroad%22"><i>Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad</i></searchLink>. 2025 37(3):122-153.
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  Data: Frontiers Journal. Dickinson College P.O. Box 1773, Carlisle, PA 17013. Tel: 717-254-8858; Fax: 717-245-1677; Web site: https://www.frontiersjournal.org/index.php/Frontiers
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  Data: Measuring study-abroad (SA) students' intercultural communicative competence (ICC) has been a challenging task. Simply comparing pre- and post-SA language proficiency test results may not capture the full extent of ICC development. This study explores the behavioral dimension of ICC among SA students by examining changes in Japanese speech style shifting, thereby providing a nuanced understanding of ICC development. The mixed-methods analysis revealed that participants shifted their speech style more actively in post-SA interviews than in pre-SA interviews. Qualitative analysis further indicated that participants' style shifting in post-SA interviews helped them appear more approachable while maintaining an appropriate level of formality and politeness, which suggests growth in ICC. These findings emphasize the broader applicability of examining speech style-shifting across languages as a measure of the behavioral dimension of ICC in SA programs. The study also discusses pedagogical implications and offers directions for future research on measuring ICC in SA contexts.
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      – SubjectFull: Study Abroad
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