A Review of Research on Intercultural Learning through Computer-Based Digital Technologies

Intercultural communication is now a crucial part of our globalizing lives; however, not everyone has an opportunity to engage in an intercultural interaction with people from different cultures. Computer-based technologies are promising in creating environments for people to communicate with people from diverse cultures. This qualitative synthesis of quantitative and qualitative research therefore aimed to investigate the literature in respect to intercultural learning through technology use. Besides reporting research descriptives in the literature, this review brought eight main points to the light: (1) an overall satisfaction with digital tools and intercultural learning, (2) increased knowledge toward both own and target culture, (3) superficial and factbased exchange between similar cultures and profiles, (4) varied levels of intercultural communicative competence development, (5) lack of in-depth analysis and of detailed reports, (6) necessity for training, guidance, and good communication skills, (7) need for stimulating contexts, and (8) technical and institutional challenges. The current study is timely to help researchers and practitioners to both comprehend the existing literature and to find new research and practice directions in the field.