Convergence and divergence: examining perceptions of Chinese and expatriate project implementers on cross‐cultural teacher training programmes

Abstract

This article reports on a study of perceptions of Chinese and expatriate personnel on a Sino‐British English teacher training programmme on a range of issues with regard to the programme. Semi‐structured one‐to‐one interviews were conducted to gather information from 17 Chinese and three British project participants. It was found that there existed convergences and divergences in the two sides’ views. This article argues that the convergences may have been induced by the project implementers’ collaborative work experience on the programme and the advantages of the top‐down approach adopted for this programme, whilst the divergences may have been caused by cultural differences, the lack of communication between the two sides, and the drawbacks of the top‐down approach. This study suggests that perception gaps can occur between local and expatriate personnel and that it is necessary for both sides to adapt to and support each other in order to enhance mutual understanding and collaboration.

Keywords:

• convergence
• divergence
• perceptions of Chinese and expatriates
• cross‐cultural English teacher training programme