CultureCraft

CultureCraft: Scenario-based Learning with Conversational AI Agents to Enhance Intercultural Communication Competence

CultureCraft explores how conversational AI can help university students develop intercultural communication competence through authentic practice, feedback, and reflection. The project aims to prepare students for overseas exchanges, internships, and collaboration in culturally diverse classrooms and workplaces.

Practice, reflection, and another attempt

CultureCraft brings together scenario-based and experiential learning. Students will rehearse conversations with AI agents playing roles such as an exchange student or a flatmate from a different cultural background. Each scenario presents a realistic communication challenge, with opportunities to practise perspective-taking, build rapport, navigate disagreement, and repair misunderstandings.

The learning cycle moves from a realistic interaction to guided reflection, and another opportunity to try a different approach, with gamification elements built in.

Inbound and outbound exchange students, together with educators, co-designed the scenarios so that activities reflect lived experiences and diverse perspectives. Cultural authenticity, inclusion, and psychological safety guide the design, with safeguards intended to address bias and stereotyping and support learners with different language backgrounds and prior international experience.

Resources for wider use

CultureCraft comes with the web-based platform, a reusable scenario library, facilitator guides, assessment rubrics, and train-the-trainer resources. Findings will inform further development and wider adoption across the university community.