Multilingual Knowledge Transmission of International Chinese Language Learners in China

Abstract

The concept of knowledge transfer and transmission has been researched primarily in the context of the management of multinational organisations for the past few decades. However, only in recent years has this interest stretched beyond the business world into higher education management and innovation, as well as learning and teaching in universities. Little of this research has been directed to language learners, who constantly engage in the process of transmitting the multilingual and multicultural knowledge that is deeply embedded in their native and newly acquired languages and cultures. This study investigates knowledge creation, dissemination, and sharing in language education by a group of international learners studying the Chinese language at a university in China. By drawing on the scholarly literature around business knowledge management and that of language and cultural studies, this paper explores the impact of cultural differences in language learning and the factors that affect the process of linguistic and cultural knowledge transmission and sharing in a targeted learning context. The findings contribute to the learning, teaching, and research of the Chinese language as well as other languages in the context of international education. The implications for educational policy-making for language educators and institution management personnel are highlighted within the landscape of a knowledge economy.