The Role of Communicative Adaptability in Lowering Intercultural Communication Apprehension of the Thai International College Students

Authors

  • Pair Sajampun National Institute of Development Administration
  • Peerayuth Charoensukmongkol National Institute of Development Administration

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze the role of communicative adaptability (CA) in lowering intercultural communication apprehension (ICA) as well as exploring which aspects of CA that significantly contribute in lowering ICA among Thai international college students during interacting with a foreign instructor in a classroom. Participants in the study consist of 333 Thai college students who were studying at Assumption University, which is one of the leading private international universities in Thailand where all courses are taught in English. The data were collected at the end of the semester. Partial least squares regression is employed to analyze the relationship between all six aspects of CA (social experience, social composure, social confirmation, appropriate disclosure, articulation, and wit) and ICA. In addition, some characteristics of students including age, gender, student classification, grade point average, frequency of English Language used and frequency of enrollment are also included in the analysis. Overall, the findings of the study indicate that there are two aspects of CA: social composure and articulation; that are significantly associated with lowering ICA. Hence, this study confirms that the Thai sample students who are well equipped with social composure and articulation tend to experience less anxiety and feel more comfortable to communicate in English with foreigners particularly with their foreign instructors.

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Published

2019-03-28

How to Cite

Sajampun, P., & Charoensukmongkol, P. (2019). The Role of Communicative Adaptability in Lowering Intercultural Communication Apprehension of the Thai International College Students. ASEAN Journal of Education, 4(2), 48–53. Retrieved from https://so01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/AJE/article/view/180481

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 2 (2018): December

Section

Research Articles

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