2023 Volume 2 Pages 146-155
Based on the pilot study in Fujimoto, Fu, Yao & Nozu (2022), this research aims further to substantiate the hypothesis that four language skills can be applied to ICT skills and that the subjects’ improvements in both skills are correlated, from the viewpoint of liberal arts education at professional colleges or universities. First, the questionnaire of this study’s main survey was updated by shifting our research focus to subjects’ current language and ICT skills and communicative competence based on their self-report. The main survey was conducted three times in 2022, the first time right before Quarter 1 started (in April), the second time at the end of Quarter 1 (in July), and the third time at the end of Quarter 3 (in December). The survey results reveal that about 61% of the subjects reported their common improvements both in language and ICT skills over time. Also, although 82% and 67% of the subjects reported their betterment in ICT and language skills, respectively, statistically there was no significant improvement in their self-reported confidence in both skills over time. Finally, an overall analysis of the survey results further suggests some thought-provoking hints for curriculum amendments at professional colleges and universities.
