HSU Lecturer Brings Research on Digital-Era Intercultural Communication to An International Academic Forum in Taiwan
In an era when online communication and digital learning are becoming essential parts of education, intercultural competence now extends beyond understanding cultural differences to encompass how people interact, respond, and build connections in virtual environments. Exploring this issue, Mr. Nguyen Minh Tri, M.Ed., Director of the English Language Studies Program at Hoa Sen University, presented his research at the GLoCALL × TaiwanCALL 2026 hosted by Tunghai University.
Exploring Cultural Sensitivity in Virtual Communication at GLoCALL × TaiwanCALL
Recently, Mr. Nguyen Minh Tri, M.Ed., Program Director of English Language Studies at Hoa Sen University (HSU), joined the 2026 Taiwan Computer-Assisted Language Learning (TaiwanCALL) and Global Computer-Assisted Language Learning (GLoCALL) Joint Conference hosted by Tunghai University.
GLoCALL × TaiwanCALL 2026 is a prestigious international academic conference on technology-enhanced language education, bringing together researchers, lecturers, and education specialists from around the world. This year’s conference explored emerging topics, including Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL), Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), AI-supported learning, virtual exchange, digital learning, and intercultural communication in global education.
During the conference, Mr. Nguyen Minh Tri presented the research “Vietnamese EFL Teachers’ Perspectives on Student Cultural Sensitivity in Virtual Communication”. The study investigated Vietnamese English teachers’ perceptions of students’ cultural sensitivity within online intercultural communication contexts.
Digital behavior in intercultural communication
The research revealed that Vietnamese students were generally open-minded and eager to engage in cross-cultural activities. Nevertheless, many still struggled with adapting language to different cultural contexts, managing politeness and communication nuances online, and recognizing subtle cultural signals such as silence, indirect replies, or sensitive topics.
Through his research, Mr. Nguyen Minh Tri identified that intercultural communication competence in the digital era extended beyond cultural knowledge to include the ability to demonstrate cultural sensitivity through communication practices on digital platforms such as email, Zoom, Teams, chat applications, and online learning systems.
The study further emphasized that digital etiquette and appropriate behavior in online environments were becoming essential aspects of intercultural competence in today’s globalized education landscape.
Connecting globally and embracing new educational trends
Beyond sharing research, the conference opens opportunities for HSU lecturers to explore emerging trends in language teaching and digital education, such as AI-supported learning, virtual exchange, and technology-driven intercultural learning models.
The participation of HSU faculty in international academic forums continues to reflect the university’s spirit of global integration and commitment to research development. HSU Faculty members not only contribute academically but also actively connect with international scholarly communities to bring the latest global educational practices into the classroom.
Mr. Nguyen Minh Tri’s participation at GLoCALL × TaiwanCALL 2026 is sponsored by HSU as a part of an institutional program aimed at encouraging faculty members to expand their research activities, academic engagement, and international collaboration.
