Research Articles

The influence of personality traits on intercultural competence development in virtual exchange: A mixed-methods study

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21827/jve.9.42187

Keywords:

virtual exchange, intercultural competence, cultural intelligence, personality traits, Five-Factor Model, world literature, English as lingua franca

Abstract

The focus of the study is on participants’ personality traits because these are known to influence individuals’ behaviours in various contexts, including working/studying abroad. The study was conducted within a lingua franca VE project situated in a Dutch university, a Chinese university, and a Swedish University. Seven Dutch students, 21 Chinese students, and four Swedish students were involved in this project. A total of 32 participants were divided into eight groups and had regular meetings for five weeks. To study the possible relations between personality traits and IC, we applied a) questionnaires including the Cultural Intelligence Scale (CQS) and the Big Five Inventory (BFI), b) interviews regarding IC, and c) weekly journals. Our study suggested that conscientiousness, neuroticism, and agreeableness can influence the development of IC with students participating in a VE project when the focus is on IC. Based on these findings, we propose that in future projects, VE teachers should consider the impact of personality traits on participants’ development. Providing tailored guidance to individuals with specific traits and forming groups with these traits in mind may prove beneficial.

Author Biographies

Junyao Zhang, University of Groningen

Junyao Zhang is currently a PhD student in the Applied Linguistics Department of the University of Groningen. Her study interest lies in VE design improvement and individualisation. 

Sake Jager, University of Groningen

Sake Jager (PhD) holds the position of assistant professor in Applied Linguistics and project manager for teaching and learning innovation at the University of Groningen, the Netherlands. His current professional and research interests focus on the implementation of Virtual Exchange/COIL in Higher Education. He has coordinated many regional, national, and international projects on technology-mediated teaching and learning innovations in Higher Education, including the European project EVOLVE (www.evolve-erasmus.eu). 

Wander M. Lowie, University of Groningen

Wander Marius Lowie is a Dutch linguist. He is currently a professor of Applied Linguistics in the Department of Applied Linguistics at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. He is renowned for his work on Complex Dynamic Systems Theory. As a member of the "Dutch School of Dynamic Systems," he, together with de Bot, van Geert, and Verspoor, proposed applying time-series data to the study of second-language development. 

Published

2026-04-23

Issue

Vol. 9 (2026)

Section

Research Articles

Copyright (c) 2026 Junyao Zhang, Sake Jager, Wander M. Lowie

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