Using enhanced OER videos to facilitate English L2 learners’ multicultural competence

Abstract

This study investigated whether applying enhanced open educational resource (OER) videos in English-as-a-Foreign-Language (EFL) classes could improve university students' multicultural competence, and it also explored their perceptions of OERs. The study was implemented with 65 students who were enrolled in two General English classes at a public university in Taiwan. Videos of two TED Talks that carried different multicultural themes were adopted for the purpose of developing the students' multicultural competence and English skills. For each of the videos, the students watched a presentation before class and discussed it with their peers in the class meeting. Data collected from an Intercultural Competence Scale, OER Perception Survey, and post-intervention interviews were analyzed to address the research issues. Results showed that the OER intervention was particularly helpful to the students' use of communicative strategies and attentive preparation for multicultural encounters. The intervention also reinforced their beliefs in the educational value of OERs. Based on the results, pedagogical implications are discussed to provide insights into how to integrate OERs into EFL curricula to facilitate students’ multicultural competence.