Culture, Language, and Knowledge: Cultural Learning Styles for International Students Learning Chinese in China

Abstract

This article reports on a study that attempts to examine the cultural learning styles of international students learning Chinese in China and their engagement in activities associated with linguistic and cultural knowledge. By drawing upon the previous research around cultural dimensions of learning styles and knowledge transmission and sharing, this paper explores the impact of cultural differences on Chinese language learning and on the level of engagement in activities involving multicultural and multilingual knowledge. Through looking at the Chinese learning experiences of international students coming from Asian countries, this study showcases how the learners' cultural styles of learning interact with their existing cultural and linguistic knowledge during their Chinese language learning in the target learning context. It is expected that this study will inform future research on cultural learning styles and knowledge exchange and sharing among Chinese learning students. The findings will have implications for language practitioners and educators to be upfront with linguistic and cultural diversity over the course of their education practices and to unleash the power of knowledge this diversity distinctively entails. This study will also shed light on the research and best practices in learning and teaching of Chinese language and other languages and cultures.