HomeAbstract of 11th-aretlExtending Learning Beyond the Classroom: A Holistic “Time-Space” Model for Teaching Intercultural Communication Through Local Heritage

Extending Learning Beyond the Classroom: A Holistic “Time-Space” Model for Teaching Intercultural Communication Through Local Heritage

  • Jun 17, 2026
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Abstract Book of the 11th International Conference on Advanced Research in Education, Teaching and Learning

Year: 2026

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Extending Learning Beyond the Classroom: A Holistic “Time-Space” Model for Teaching Intercultural Communication Through Local Heritage

Junyi Li

ABSTRACT:

Effective intercultural communication instruction requires immersive, contextualized practice that transcends the physical and temporal boundaries of the traditional classroom. This oral presentation illustrates a case study of a university course that guides a mixed cohort of domestic and international students through a seven-week project cycle in which they co-design heritage communication prototypes for real-world audiences. The instructional design follows a deliberate “pre-class autonomous learning → in-class experiential activities → post-class reflective consolidation” sequence, synchronized with a “classroom → campus → society” spatial progression. With Suzhou local culture as its thematic core, learning was extended through campus-based peer interviews and a community-based service-learning project with the Suzhou Museum. Qualitative evidence from student journey maps, reflective journals, and final projects demonstrates that the time-space orchestration deepened cultural understanding, fostered cognitive flexibility, improved oral communication skills, and strengthened students’ appreciation for local heritage. The findings suggest that strategically integrating digital tools with authentic community engagement creates a rich learning ecosystem that transforms students from passive learners into active cultural ambassadors. The model offers a practical, scalable blueprint for transforming intercultural communication teaching through coordinated across-time and across-space learning.

Keywords: Authentic Assessment; Community Engagement; Design Thinking; Experiential Learning; Teaching Innovation