AN EMPIRICAL STUDY ON CHINESE EFL LEARNERS' CROSS-CULTURAL SENSITIVITY BASED ON EDUCATIONAL EMOTION REGULATION
Authors: Shao Changzhong , Zhang Di , Shao Mingqi 
Published: July 2022

Background

Cross-cultural sensitivity is a prerequisite for learning and successful cross-cultural communication, but the research on the differences of cross-cultural sensitivity of Chinese English learners of different majors is still blank. The purpose of this study is to explore the significant correlation between different levels of cross-cultural sensitivity from the perspective of positive educational psychological effect, understand the differences of Chinese English learners in cross-cultural sensitivity, and find the main ways of understanding foreign culture in cross-cultural communication behavior, so as to provide theoretical and practical reference for cross-cultural communication researchers and English teachers. Therefore, based on the perspective of educational emotion regulation, this study discusses the cross-cultural sensitivity of Chinese English learners.

Subjects and Methods

Based on the cross-cultural sensitivity scale of Chen and starosta, this study conducted a questionnaire survey on the cross-cultural sensitivity of 331 Chinese EFL learners. They were divided into three professional groups: English, science, humanities and social sciences. The scale includes 24 five points scale questions about mental state, which measure the variables that constitute the level of sensitivity between five different cultures. In order to ensure the accuracy of the survey results, the author randomly selected 5 subjects from the three groups for in-depth interviews, and recorded and counted the interview results. SPSS 17.0 statistical software package was used for statistical analysis. At the same time, the anxiety level of foreign language learning was further explored in the study. The study took Kim's anxiety scale as the measurement scale, combined with Pearson correlation, standard deviation and statistical significance to illustrate the correlation. T-test of independent samples was used to verify the difference between high anxiety group and low anxiety group. It can be seen from the above table that there is a very significant positive correlation among state anxiety, trait anxiety and foreign language learning anxiety. It can be seen that the “anxiety” component of learners' personality characteristics plays a great role in the generation of foreign language learning anxiety. This finding is consistent with our experience and common sense, as well as the results of similar studies. For example, the test conducted by Wang caikang among college students in Guangzhou shows that the correlation coefficient between FLCAS and trait anxiety is 0.408, while the correlation coefficient with state anxiety is 0.395. Both reached a significant level (P &lt; 0.01).

Results

The study shows that among the five factors of cross-cultural sensitivity, Chinese English learners have the highest respect for cultural differences, followed by interactive enjoyment, interactive attention and interactive self-confidence. The degree of interactive participation is much lower than the other four factors. Pearson's correlation analysis shows that there is a significant correlation between multiple factors of cross-cultural sensitivity, in which the degree of interactive attention and interactive participation are completely linear. Partial correlation analysis shows that there is a strong correlation between respect for cultural differences and interactive enjoyment. In addition, Chinese English learners are usually exposed to foreign cultures in a variety of ways. In terms of anxiety level, there are significant differences in the relationship between foreign language anxiety, self-efficacy and academic achievement of students of different majors and genders. It is found that compared with male college students, female college students' foreign language achievement and self-efficacy level are much higher. However, there is no significant difference in anxiety level between male and female college students.

Conclusion

This study shows that case-based cross-cultural teaching has a significant emotional impact on Chinese English learners' cross-cultural sensitivity and cross-cultural communicative competence. Critical cultural awareness is the key to improve Chinese English learning achievement and establish a healthy attitude for future life. Due to the limitations of the research object, the research scope and quantity need to be further studied. In addition, in the design of language teaching methods and syllabus, we must change the paradigm from the traditional perspective of cross-cultural sensitivity.

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by Youth Innovation Team Development Plan of Colleges and Universities of Shandong Province, “Youth Innovation Talent Introduction and Education Plan project”; “Multilingual Language Education and Service Innovation Team”.