Business English for International Working Professionals: A Virtual Training Focusing on Intercultural Communication Skills

Date

2022-05

Authors

Chung, HeeJae

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Abstract

Without intercultural communication skills, an unbalanced power-dynamic will continue to affect the success of individuals, organizations, and societies in the global market. The COVID-19 crisis has revealed an urgent demand for virtual learning opportunities for working professionals. This instrumental qualitative case study documented the experiences of a group of international working professionals participating in a virtual international business English training. Drawing on intercultural communicative competence and experiential e-learning models, the study documented innovative practices designing and implementing the training, the experiences of the working professionals who participated in the training, and how the training enhanced the working professionals’ intercultural communication skills. Data collected included online questionnaires, artifacts, videoconference interviews, and the research journal. Data analysis for the study followed Braun and Clarke’s (2006) thematic analysis process. As a result, dissertation findings identified innovative practices for designing and implementing a virtual international business English training program for working professionals centering attention on intercultural communication. The study bridged the gap between existing knowledge and instructional practices in teaching English to speakers of other languages. Incorporating experiential learning was a novel insight into improving the theoretical models utilized in the study. Learner confidence as an important factor in improving language and intercultural communication was another notable finding.

Description

Keywords

Business English, International Business English, International working professionals, Virtual training, Intercultural communication skills, Innovative practices

Citation

Chung, H. J. (2022). <i>Business English for international working professionals: A virtual training focusing on intercultural communication skills</i> (Unpublished dissertation). Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas.

Rights

Rights Holder

Rights License

Rights URI