Impact of short-term immersion program: Pre-service teachers’ development of intercultural communication competence and pedagogical belief

This project provides opportunities for self-reflections of pre-service students who have fulfilled the immersion studies in in English-speaking countries. Face-to face interviews were conducted where students were stimulated to retrospectively report their experiences, which led to significant changes after the immersions such as improved communication skills and confidence, increased awareness of intercultural sensitivity and more willingness to communicate. In addition, students also reported the achievement of personal growth and changes in their pedagogical beliefs about English language teaching. Interestingly, practical implications for the length of immersion and arrangement of host families were also found in this study.