Revisiting WebQuests to Develop Intercultural Communication Competence

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate whether WebQuest activities could help students to understand various cultural contexts, with the goal of eventually improving their intercultural competence. The current study took place in in a private university in Japan, and utilized in-class WebQuest activities to promote students’ participation in group and class discussions for critical reflection and self-assessment. Regarding education for intercultural competence, it focused on improving students’ critical reflections and ability to self-assess their cultural standpoints through group and class discussion based on the WebQuest activities. The study used quantitative data collection methods along with analyses of students’ reflections in their written and oral performances. The quantitative data were collected through preand post-surveys and an adapted version of the GENE (Generalized Ethnocentrism) scale questionnaires and the Intercultural Communication Competence scale questionnaires. This study demonstrated that the WebQuest tasks and the discussions helped to deepen knowledge of cultural-general and cultural-specific concepts. In addition, through group and class discussion, students helped each other not only to understand the content of the course but also to practice empathy in special situations in other cultures as explaining and sharing their understanding.