Dimension

Evaluating language learners’ intercultural competence 85
and bolster the quantitative findings related to IC skills in response to the second
research question. Specifically, the open-ended items, which prompt feedback about
the interview experience and elicit specific cultural learning that participants have
gleaned from class presentational reports on the interviews, generated comments
that elucidate the perspective-taking proficiency of the students.
“Interesting to discuss French way of life and confront typical American
stereotypes of French”
“Enjoyed getting French view of Americans”
“I learned about things that seem normal to me, but strange to people
from other cultures”
“Learned a lot about the perception of America to foreigners…”
“I learned that life here can be rather hard”
Also extrapolated from participant comments in the post-questionnaire, there
is a noted trend of responses associated with Byram’s second goal area, a knowledge
domain. This is especially observed in student feedback as they address what
they learned about both similarities and diversity among francophone peoples and
francophone cultures. Comments such as the following reflect the two knowledge
domain objectives referencing knowledge of / about “processes … of socialization”
and “the process of social interaction.”
“Others … seem to prioritize their values, putting family / community
first instead of profitability / financial independence”
“Language isn’t the only way to communicate in francophone places”
“[They] … are much more reserved yet oddly more affectionate with
people they love”
“Differences in way of life, food and its meaning, and the meaning /
value of relationships”
“Food is more of a social experience (culture of going to restaurants
only for special occasions, for example)”
There is a correspondingly noteworthy trend in open-ended comments about
their interlocutors (and the cultures they represent) that are framed by students’
readily-made comparisons to Americans and American culture. Respondents reveal
personal opinions in their feedback as they report what they learned about Francophones
and francophone cultures, caveated with comparisons / contrasts to Americans
and American culture.
“Francophone experience varies according to region of world speaker
is from. (Western Francophones seem to view Americans very materialistic.
African Francophones view Americans as independent.)”
“Many other cultures are more open about sexuality … reverse to US
where religion plays a larger role”
“French are more formal than Americans; have more culture and appreciate
the arts”