Promoting English Speaking Confidence through Online Expanding Circle Communication

This study explores how expanding circle communication (i.e., intercultural between “non-native” speakers of English) boosts the confidence Japanese EFL learners by developing a positive attitude toward their own English. Japanese, Chinese and Vietnamese university students participated in four sessions online discussion. Since idea “English as an International Language” (EIL) is considered key to promote learners’ mindset for what had been English varieties boost English, it was introduced reading activities each session. After completion sessions, reflective writings on two questions asking 1) self-confidence speaking 2) about EIL were collected. The result shows that brought participants raise relatively high percentage (73%) all cases. Regarding EIL, other hand, divided into groups with negative (43%) (57%) attitude. In this study, therefore, gap participants’ examined discussed.