Evaluating intercultural learning materials from the RICH-Ed project through a non-essentialist perspective: Chinese University students’ and instructors’ perceptions

Abstract

ABSTRACT Globalisation has increased cultural diversity in Chinese higher education, highlighting needs for intercultural competence development. However, suitable China-centric resources are lacking. This study evaluates intercultural learning materials developed by the RICH-Ed project, an intercultural communication textbook grounded in critical social constructionism and non-essentialist principles. The study employed a two-phase qualitative design, collecting data through questionnaires and interviews to understand students’ and instructors’ perceptions of the materials. The results indicate the RICH-Ed intercultural learning materials expanded students’ intercultural understanding. The interactive experiential learning activities enabled transformational self-reflection, challenging previous assumptions and developing appreciation for diverse perspectives. Similarly, the materials shaped instructors’ beliefs about intercultural communication. Instructors also experienced significant pedagogical shifts from essentialist to contemporary critical constructionist approaches. The collaborative lesson planning, observation, and reflection cycles built instructors’ confidence and competence in student-centred, dialogue-based methods aimed at intercultural learning goals. However, academic reading difficulties and the need for supplementary teacher training were issues identified. Recommendations include scaffolding comprehension through glossaries, discussions, and levelled reading; tailoring examples and roleplays for Chinese contexts; adding interactive multimedia; and expanding lesson studies. This utilisation-focused evaluation provides insights to strengthen emergent intercultural resources and training programmes in Chinese higher education.