COIL-Based experiential learning for intercultural communication: Global South EFL students’ challenges and strategies

Abstract

In acquiring intercultural skills, Global South students face numerous challenges, including limited resources, mobility and limited contact with those from other cultures. This study investigates a COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) project involving Indonesian English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students and their Japanese and Australian peers. Specifically, it examines the perceived impact of COIL on the development of the Indonesian students’ intercultural skills. Data were drawn weekly group reflections and individual post-program reflections. The findings indicate a decided impact on students’ intercultural skills over a short period of time. Based on these results, we argue that COIL provides a valuable opportunity for the acquisition of intercultural competence among students in the Global South. This study highlights how instructors can enhance the benefits of COIL by implementing instructor-guided scaffolded reflections to support Indonesian students’ experiential learning.