Evaluating The Intercultural Training Project For TCM Professionals

This paper takes an intercultural training project for Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)professionals as the research object and aims to explore trainees' responses to the training project and any resultant developments in their intercultural competence and English proficiency.Kirkpatrick's Four-level Evaluation Model(Kirkpatrick & Kirkpatrick,2005)was used as the theoretical framework.Combining quantitative and qualitative methods,the author evaluated the program on the first three levels: reaction,learning,and behavior.Quantitative data gathering mechanisms included a questionnaire,the Rubric and Intercultural Sensitivity Scale(ISS)(Chen,2000)and the qualitative method is interviews.As only one trainee was dispatched abroad by the time of the research project,evaluation at the fourth level(results)was not carried out;however,the author lists the detailed evaluation methods and possible indicators.Results show that on the reaction level,trainees are satisfied with the training project,especially with the combination of didactic and experiential methods.However,some aspects,for example the schedule,need to be improved.Second,on the learning level,trainees' intercultural competence improved,mainly related to their knowledge and attitudes.Additionally,trainees' English proficiency also improved;they were able to use more professional vocabulary and were more willing to express themselves in English.Third,on the behavior level,trainees' intercultural competence improved,as shown on three dimensions: knowledge,attitudes,and skills.Trainees' English proficiency also improved and they could better express themselves in English.Finally,based on evaluation results on each level,this paper puts forward some suggestions for applying Kirkpatrick Four-level Evaluation Model in the field of intercultural training.