Educational Effects on Language Learning and Cross-cultural Understanding of PBL Using Videos:

From an Activity Creating a Video Describing “Life as Exchange Students in Japan”

Abstract

The authors have conducted an activity aimed at creating a video for exchange students in a Japanese language school describing “life as exchange students in Japan.” The purpose of the video is to help with enhancing these exchange students’ language skills and intercultural awareness. The video also aims to encourage Japanese people with whom the video is shared to be interested in foreigners living in Japan. The creators were interviewed twice – once after editing the video, and again after receiving feedback from Japanese people who watched it. The results were that they felt a sense of achievement, especially regarding collaboration with classmates. They were also proud to see that Japanese viewers and exchange students had deepened their willingness to communicate with each other.