Clues to nurture Japanese students’ communicative competence: A Case Study on an Overseas Homestay Program

Abstract

This article reports on a study that investigated the process and effects of pre- and post-assignments of an overseas homestay program. These assignments were designed to promote the Japanese students’ collaborative competence which enables them to be more proactive and successful when engaging with their host families. The analysis of the assignments that were set before and after the trip, and a careful observation of the participants experiences while abroad, unveil what Japanese language learners need in order to acquire and develop their communicative competence within a global context.