Self-Evaluated Language Skills’ Impact on Language Experiences: Evidence from COIL-based Classes between Kobe University and Dublin City University

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted international student exchange programs, as Japan’s strict border control measures have prevented foreign national students from entering the country. This resulted in an abrupt cancellation of planned study abroad programs, greatly affecting students at Kobe University’s (KU) Faculty of Economics and Dublin City University (DCU). KU and DCU established an online classroom using the Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) approach to address these challenges. This virtual classroom allowed students from both universities to interact with each other on interdisciplinary topics related to economics and interculturalism, while also improving their language learning experience. They shared and discussed prepared presentations, enabling students from both universities to develop their cross-cultural competence. The present study conducts a comparative analysis of the two universities, while also examining the relationship between students’ selfevaluated language skills and their language learning experiences through COIL. Our analysis revealed notable discrepancies in how students perceived COIL and their language learning experiences. Within this analysis, we find COIL to be an effective alternative to traditional study abroad programs, allowing universities to maintain connections with their partner institutions and enhance their students’ international awareness.