A Content Analysis of Cross-Cultural Communication Problems between Chinese and Thai Students at the International College of Burapha University, Thailand

Abstract

ABSTRACT             The aim of this study is to explore the factors that cause Chinese and Thai students’ misunderstandings in communicating in English. Moreover, this study will also investigate the strategies used by the Chinese and Thai students when there is a communication breakdown. To support this, 30 students were purposefully chosen for completing a questionnaire. Fifteen students among these participants were chosen for the role-play pair work. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and the qualitative data from the role play and the observation was content analyzed consulting a reference to communicative strategies and communicative competences. Results from the quantitative data revealed that Thai students had the most common problem in sociolinguistic competence; Chinese students had the most common problem in discourse competence. Results from the qualitative data revealed that the most frequent strategy used by Thai students was using gestures; only one Thai student used a method to check the meaning. Strategies used by the Chinese students were using gestures and changing the topic. Further research should call attention to intercultural communication in Asia. There should be some research on developing rating systems for teachers to assess Chinese and Thai students or ASEAN students’ English oral communication competency with instructions that are clear and easy to use. Moreover, college English teaching and curriculum design should incorporate and promote how to address students’ difficulties in discourse competence, sociolinguistic competence and strategic competence.