Intercultural training in a blended learning environment in Japanese higher education

As the number of people with various cultural and national backgrounds working and living internationally grows, Japan is gradually building a multicultural society. However, Japan´s long history of mono-cultural society causes difficulties for its young people in learning about cultural diversity. In order to support students´ learning, the researchers developed an original e-learning programme for intercultural training. It aimed to function as an effective tool for promoting students´ awareness of different cultures. From 2012 to 2014, the programme was implemented, in a blended learning style, with Japanese university students. To clarify the advantages and disadvantages of the programme, the researchers distributed a questionnaire to the participants. The findings in 2012 and 2013 showed that the programme was effective for improving students´ intercultural awareness and understanding, while it also suggested that teachers need to motivate students´ online learning more.