Growing intercultural speakers in novice Italian: A virtual versus face-to-face comparison

Abstract

Intercultural competence (IC) has been identified as a crucial outcome of world language education. The purpose of the study is to compare possible differences in IC development between face-to-face and asynchronous virtual modes of delivery that were taken as emergency measures early in the COVID-19 pandemic for a beginning Italian course with 18- to 22-year-old students. The American Association of Colleges & Universities Intercultural Knowledge and Competence Valid Assessment of Learning in Undergraduate Education Rubric serves as a theoretical framework to determine learning outcomes and guide qualitative assessment. Applying a mixed-methods approach, the study collects quantitative data using the Intercultural Knowledge and Competence Short Scale and qualitative data from student reflection assignments for both face-to-face (2019) and asynchronous virtual (2020) courses. A comparison of IC development between the two cohorts shows similar achievement of intercultural learning in both modes. Implications for IC development in language classrooms are discussed.