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Application of Intercultural Communication in Higher Education: A Comparison of Teaching Methods in Larger and Smaller Class Sizes in China

Author(s)

Ruomeng Li

Affiliation(s)

Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China

Abstract

This paper explores the application of intercultural communication in Chinese higher education, focusing on the comparison of teaching methods in different class sizes in enhancing students' intercultural understanding and communication skills. Through a brief literature review and theoretical analysis, the study underscores the importance of intercultural communication in the context of globalization, where cultivating students with intercultural competence has become a crucial educational objective. This paper also delineates the concepts and characteristics of both teaching methods and evaluates their strengths and weaknesses in intercultural education. The findings indicate that larger classes are typically professor-centered and emphasize knowledge transmission, whereas smaller classes foster teacher-student interaction, student autonomy, and active participation, offering more opportunities for intercultural engagement. This study advocates for the widespread adoption of teaching methods in smaller classes in higher education to develop globally competent graduates, offers valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and scholars in optimizing teaching methods and improving educational quality.

Keywords

Intercultural Communication; Higher Education; Smaller Class Sizes; Educational Methods

References

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