Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Volume 13. Number3. September 2022 Pp.429-444
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol13no3.28
Facebook Movie-Based Discussions: Bringing Down Intercultural Barriers in English Language Education
Alla Lisnychenko
Department of Foreign Languages, Mykhailo Kotsiubynskyi Vinnytsia
State Pedagogical University, Vinnytsia,Ukraine
Corresponding email: alla.lisnychenko@gmail.com
Tamara Glazunova
Department of Foreign Languages, Mykhailo Kotsiubynskyi Vinnytsia
State Pedagogical University, Vinnytsia, Ukraine
Tamila Dovhaliuk
Department of Foreign Languages, Mykhailo Kotsiubynskyi Vinnytsia
State Pedagogical University, Vinnytsia, Ukraine
Svitlana Kuzmina
Department of Foreign Languages, Mykhailo Kotsiubynskyi Vinnytsia
State Pedagogical University,Vinnytsia, Ukraine
Hanna Podosynnikova
Department of Foreign and Slavic Philology, A. S. Makarenko Sumy
State Pedagogical University, Sumy, Ukraine
Received:06/24/2022 Accepted:09/12/2022 Published:09/24/2022
Abstract:
The paper’s main aim is to highlight the importance of underpinning English language education with intercultural competence. The authors describe and analyze the experience of the cross-cultural exchange in Facebook movie-based discussions as an innovative approach to English teacher preparation in Ukraine. The study examines the perceptions of American films regarding various social, educational, and cultural issues by American and Ukrainian participants. The authors address the following questions: 1. What are the intercultural differences in the perception of American movies manifested by the representatives of the American and Ukrainian cultures during movie club discussions? 2. What are the participants’ attitudes to online discussions in a Facebook group? The research engages 83 participants, including university professors, their family members, and prospective teachers majoring in teaching English as a foreign language. The study applies Hofstede’s cultural dimensions model and descriptive, comparative, and qualitative methods. Since the research is empirical and an exciting outcome of international academic collaboration in teacher preparation, its findings have proven the significance of cross-cultural communication for educational purposes. The emphasis on strengthening English language teacher preparation with intercultural awareness, values, and skills for service in the multicultural world has evident benefits for the quality of teacher training in the Ukrainian context. The research also signifies Facebook as a platform for future online educational collaboration.
Keywords: cross-cultural differences in values perceptions, English as a foreign language, Facebook movie-based
discussion, intercultural competence, movie club, Ukrainian context
Cite as: Lisnychenko, A., Glazunova, T. Dovhaliuk, T., Kuzmina. S. , & Podosynnikova, H. (2022). Facebook Movie-Based Discussions: Bringing Down Intercultural Barriers in English Language Education. Arab World English Journal, 13 (3) 429-444.
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol13no3.28
References
Abedrabu, A. A. (2012) An international email project for developing students’ intercultural awareness and language skills. IUG Journal, International conference proceedings, 1. Retrieved from https://iugspace.iugaza.edu.ps/handle/20.500.12358/25554?locale-attribute=en
Bray, E. & Iswanti, S. N. (2013). Japan–Indonesia intercultural exchange in a Facebook group. The Language Teacher. Readers’ Forum. 29-34. Retrieved from https://jalt-publications.org/sites/default/files/pdf-article/37.2tlt_art2.pdf
Cardon, P. W. (2010). Using films about the nature of cross-cultural stereotypes in intercultural business communication courses. Business Communication Quarterly, 73 (2), 150-165.
Champoux, J. (1999). Film as a teaching resource. Journal of Management Inquiry, 8, 206-217.
Chaya P.& Inpin, B. (2020). Effects of integrating movie-based mobile learning instruction for enhancing Thai university students’ speaking skills and intercultural communicative competence. English Language Teaching, 13 (7), 27-45.
Chen, D. (2020). A cross-cultural anlysis of Chinese traditional culture and American culture elements of the movie of Guasha. International Journal of Languages, Literature and Linguistics, 6 (1), 56-59.
Cloete, A. L. (2017). Film as medium for meaning making: A practical theological reflection. Theological Studies, 73 (4). Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320182805_Film_as_medium_for_meaning_making_A_Practical_Theological_reflection
Council of Europe (2001). Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. Retrieved from https://rm.coe.int/commoneuropean-framework-ofreference-for-languageslearning-teaching/16809ea0d4
Deng, L., Chen, YH. & Li, S. C. (2017). Supporting cross-cultural online discussion with formal and informal platforms: A case between Hong Kong and Taiwan. RPTEL, 12 (5). Retrieved from https://telrp.springeropen.com/track/pdf/10.1186/s41039-017-0050-z.pdf
Hofstede, G. (2001). Culture’s Consequences: Comparing Values, Behaviors, Institutions, and Organizations Across nations. 2nd ed. Sage Publications. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/unf_research/53/
Hofstede, G. (2011). Dimensionalizing cultures: The Hofstede model in context. Online readings in Psychology and Culture, Unit 2. Retrieved from http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/orpc/vol2/iss1/8
Hofstede Insights (2021). Country Comparison. Retrieved from https://www.hofstede-insights.com/country-comparison/ukraine,the-usa/
Hong, Y. (2009). A dynamic constructivist approach to culture: Moving from describing culture to explaining culture. In Wyer, R.S., Chiu, C. & Hong, Y.-Y., Eds., Understanding Culture: Theory, Research, and Application (pp.3-23). Psychology Press, New York.
Hurn, B.J. & Tomalin, B. (2013). Cross-cultural Communication. Theory and Practice. Palgrave Macmillan.
Jin, S. (2015) Using Facebook to promote Korean EFL learners’ intercultural competence. Language Learning & Technology, 19 (3), 38–51.
Kichak, O. (2013). Grandmother and Grandfather in Families of Transcarpathian Workers at the Beginning of the XXI Century (Impact on Grandchildren and Mutual Assistance to Children). Ethnographic notebooks, 6 (114), 1014-1024. Retrieved from https://nz.lviv.ua/archiv/2013-6/10.pdf
Kim, K.-J., & Bonk, C. J. (2002). Cross-cultural comparisons of online collaboration. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 8 (1). Retrieved from https://academic.oup.com/jcmc/article/8/1/JCMC814/4080404
King, J. (2002). Using DVD feature films in the EFL classroom. Retrieved from https://www.moviesgrowenglish.com/PDF/CATESOL/Films_for_EFL,%20J.King.pdf
LeBaron, J. & Pulkkinen, J., & Scollin, P. (2000). Promoting cross-border communication in an international web-based graduate course. Interactive Multimedia Electronic Journal of Computer-Enhanced Learning, 2 (1). Retrieved from http://imej.wfu.edu/articles/2000/2/01/index.asp
Mallinger, M. & Rossy, G. (2003). Film as a lens for teaching culture: Balancing concepts, ambiguity and paradox. Journal of Management Education, 27 (5), 608-624. Retrieved from https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ675760
Matvienko, O., & Kuzmina, S. (2020). English language education at Ukrainian university: Interdisciplinary aspect. Arab World English Journal: Special Issue on English in Ukrainian Context, 161-170. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/elt3.14
Nur, S. (2016). Increasing students’ cultural awareness by using film in teaching cross cultural understanding. The 61 TEFLIN International Conference, UNS Solo, 391-393, Retrieved from https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/43025554.pdf
Ozdemir, E. (2017). Promoting EFL learners’ intercultural communication effectiveness: A focus on Facebook. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 30 (6), 510-528. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2017.1325907
Pandey, S. & Ardichvili, A. (2015). Using films in teaching intercultural concepts: An action research project at two universities in India and the United States. New Horizons in Adult Education & Human Resource Development, 27 (4), 36-50.
Perova, A. (2010). Pedagogical conditions for the formation of the socio-cultural component of the professional training of a foreign language teacher. Dis.cand.ped.sciences, Kaluga. Retrieved from https://www.dissercat.com/content/pedagogicheskie-usloviya-formirovaniya-sotsiokulturnogo-komponenta-professionalnoi-podgotovk
Powell, D., Kuzmina, S., Kuzmin, Y., Yamchynska, T. & Shestopalyuk, O. (2014). Using web blended learning in Ukraine to facilitate engagement and globalize horizons: A pilot study. TOJDEL: The Online Journal of Distance Education and e-Learning, 2 (2), 44-51. Retrieved from http//www.tojned.net/journals/tojdel/articles/v02i02/v02i02-07.pdf
Raja Zainal Hassan, R. R., Hassan, N. A., Sallehuddin, I. S., & Abdul Aziz, N. N (2020). Facebook for intercultural communication: The foreign students’ experience. Journal of International Studies, 16, 25-37. https://doi.org/10.32890/jis2020.16.2
Roell, C. (2010). International training with film. English Teaching Forum, 48 (2), 2-15.
Rohner, R. P. (1984). Toward a conception of culture for cross-cultural Psychology. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 15, 111-138. Retrieved from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0022002184015002002
Starostova, L. & Piskunova, L. (2016). Film-study as a source of formation of creative cross-cultural skills in multicultural context. Creative Studies, 9 (1), 87-101. https://doi.org/10.3846/23450479.2015.1136850. Retrieved from https://science.urfu.ru/en/publications/
Tran T. T. Q. (2022). Using Youtube Video Clips of Different Themes to Enhance Students’ Listening Skill in an Emi Class. Journal of English Language Teaching, 06 (02), 106-114.
Wang, T. & Yu, G. (2018). English film appreciation from the perspective of cross-cultural communication. Theory and Practice in Language Studies, 8 (6), 681-685.
Yezhitskaya, S. (2011). The importance of the development of students’ sociocultural competence at the Kazakh-American Free University, The Kazakh-American Free University Academic Journal, 3. Retrieved from https://www.kafu-academic-journal.info/journal/3/71/
Zmiyevska, O. & Glazunova, T. (2018). Using Facebook movie club to develop 21-st century skills. Studies in Comparative Education, 1. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328678557_USING_FACEBOOK_MOVIE_CLUB_TO_DEVELOP_21ST_CENTURY_SKILLS