Articles

Developing EFL Students’ Communicative Performance Through Experiential Cross-Cultural Interaction with International Tourists: A Mixed-Methods Study at TSES English Club

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The disconnect between formal language instruction and real-world communicative competence remains a core challenge in global EFL education. This convergent mixed-methods study examines an innovative experiential learning model at the TSES English Club in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, where university students practise their English skills via structured, authentic interactions with international tourists in public spaces. The quantitative data, collected over an 18-week intervention period, comprised pre/post-test scores of 11 students assessed using a 100-point rubric, alongside student post-intervention perception surveys from 71 students and 7 expert facilitators. The qualitative data, gathered via semi-structured interviews with 3 facilitators and 5 students, underwent reflexive thematic analysis and were supplemented by ethnographic observation. Findings reveal significant practical communication score gains (t(10)=24.06, p<.001, d=7.25), indicating an extremely large effect. Post-intervention surveys indicated over 77% of students improved across all criteria. Thematic analysis revealed three primary catalysts: authentic communicative pressure, intrinsic motivation from meaningful cross-cultural exchange, and peer scaffolding with emotional support. Three principal barriers emerged: accent-triggered anxiety, cultural and pragmatic misunderstandings, and environmental noise. The study theoretically operationalises experiential learning and intercultural competence frameworks within this non-institutional, tourism-driven context. Practically, it offers ten evidence-based, actionable recommendations to maximise pedagogical impact for language clubs.

Understanding Ethnographic Research and Cross-Cultural Differences

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Individuals from different countries who have various backgrounds might encounter barriers when communicating with each other. Ethnographic research is suitable for analyzing interpersonal conflicts from the perspectives of history, customs, language, and culture. The researcher will illustrate her experiences when the researcher was in China and the United States separately in order to set an example for people to understand the cultural differences between the two countries. Also, the researcher will discuss what ethnographic research is and how to utilize this research method in discussing the cultural differences. Ethnographic research will help people understand a social phenomenon by analyzing people’s ideologies and preferences (Willis, 2007). The researcher will explain why mutual understanding and trust are important when communicating. By sharing knowledge and building mutual understanding, people will have a better opportunity for promoting long-term friendships.