Intergroup communication between Mainland Chinese students and Hong Kong locals: Theoretical and methodological considerations

My PhD research applies an intergroup paradigm of communication to study willingness to communicate in a second language and communication accommodation theory in an eastern, rather than western context. I investigate how these two theories work together to better account for intergroup communication in a context that has often been ignored, specifically, communication between Mainland Chinese students studying in Hong Kong and Hong Kong locals. I adopt a mixed-methods design employing survey measures, qualitative interviews and journaling entries to give voice to Mainland Chinese students.