Abstract
This study examined the relationship among educational aspiration, cross-cultural sensitivity, and field of study of 196 Chinese student teachers enrolled in the Faculty of Education for Fall 1994 and Spring 1995 at the University of Macau (China). The study investigated other patterns of cross-cultural experience and activities, including average weekly time spent viewing English television programs and reading English newspapers, making friends with foreigners, studying foreign languages, visiting English speaking countries, and planning to study abroad. The Student Information form collected demographic profiles and academic information including biographical data, educational aspiration, English newspaper reading and television viewing habits, attitudes toward British and American people, choice of movies, overseas study, and English learning experience in high school. The Intercultural Insight Questionnaire included 24 pairs of contrasting American and British trait descriptions in forced-choice format, providing cross-cultural insight scores. Data analysis indicated that many respondents had insufficient preparation in English before enrolling in teacher education. They had very strong expectancies for future academic success. Field of study had no bearing on educational aspiration and cross-cultural sensitivity. There were no gender differences on educational aspirations or cross-cultural sensitivity. Older students achieved somewhat lower scores on their high school matriculation examination in English and had less aspirations toward higher degrees. None of the variables such as English examination score, degree aspiration, and chronological age were valid in forecasting the criterion variable of cross-cultural sensitivity (ICIQ). Finally, the study discusses some implications and recommendations for programme improvement and development in teacher education.
| Original language | English |
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| Publication status | Published - 1998 |