PERCEPTIONS OF UNIVERSITY BUSINESS STUDENTS IN RELATION TO FOREIGN-ACCENTED FACULTY

Annette Ewy
Susan D. Geringer
James Taylor
California State University, Fresno
ABSTRACT
This study aimed to explore student perceptions of foreign-accented faculty and any
underlying factors that play into student reactions. Specifically, the study investigated the role and
weight of international exposure on student perceptions of said faculty, as well as student
reactions to a perceived effort from foreign-accented faculty to overcome barriers involving oral
communication related to their accent. Findings were collected via the distribution of a written
pen/paper survey across different undergraduate classes within the Business major at a Public
Western United States University.
The study found that international exposure carries significant weight in determining
student perception of foreign-accented faculty, and that the degree of international exposure plays
a role in determining perceptions. Also, it was discovered that student perceptions become more
positive towards such faculty if they are perceived to be making a conscious effort to improve
channels of communication and transcend oral communication barriers.