Author Information
Tomoshige Yamaguchi, Hyogo Prefectural Yokawa High School, JapanRika Iwami, Hyogo University of Teacher Education, Japan
Abstract
This study examines the educational impact of a community-based intercultural education program involving foreign technical intern trainees, implemented with Japanese high school students. This study aims to foster intercultural understanding and enhance English learning motivation among 54 third-year students through structured interaction in English with three Mongolian trainees working at a local hospital. The seven-session program included photo language activities, artifact exploration using materials from the National Museum of Ethnology, jigsaw reading, and a roundtable exchange. To evaluate changes in students’ attitudes and motivation, pre- and post-program questionnaires (21 items, 4-point Likert scale) were administered. Paired-samples t-tests revealed statistically significant improvements in 8 of the 21 items (p < .05), including willingness to talk to foreigners (t = −3.67, p < .001, d = 0.64), interest in diverse cultures (t = −3.03, p = .005, d = 0.53), and the desire to use English (t = −3.47, p = .002, d = 0.60). Medium effect sizes were also observed in items related to the belief that learning English can broaden future possibilities and the importance of expressing one’s feelings in English. In addition, qualitative data from students’ reflections were analyzed through thematic coding and text-mining techniques. The results indicated increased empathy, reduced anxiety about English communication, and more proactive engagement in intercultural interaction. These findings suggest that short-term, community-based intercultural programs can produce measurable changes in both cognitive and affective dimensions of global education. The study highlights how collaboration with foreign residents in local communities can function as a practical approach for promoting intercultural awareness and strengthening English learning motivation in non-urban Japanese high schools.
Paper Information
Conference: ACEID2026Stream: International Education
This paper is part of the ACEID2026 Conference Proceedings (View)
Full Paper
View / Download the full paper in a new tab/window
To cite this article:
Yamaguchi T., & Iwami R. (2026) Evaluating a Practice-Based Program With Foreign Intern Trainees: Impact on Japanese High School Students’ Intercultural Understanding and English Learning Motivation ISSN: 2189-101X – The Asian Conference on Education & International Development 2026 Official Conference Proceedings (pp. 231-242) https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2189-101X.2026.19
To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2189-101X.2026.19
Comments
Powered by WP LinkPress