From Temporary Distance Teaching to a Well-Planned Online Course

In response to the challenges posed by COVID-19, universities and colleges in China temporarily shifted to online teaching. However, as the pandemic subsided, questions about the value of online teaching emerged, leading to a decline in online course offerings. This article presents an innovative case study of an intercultural communication course that transitioned from temporary pandemic-triggered distance teaching to a well-planned and technology-enhanced ongoing mode of instruction at a Chinese university. The article details the course design, implementation, and learner experience, demonstrating its successful delivery through student surveys and focus groups. The findings indicate that students experienced moderate anxiety and sustained motivation, engagement, and positive attitudes toward learning. This study suggests that, even beyond the pandemic, online education, when approached with thoughtful design and pedagogical strategies, can be effectively integrated into tertiary education in China and complement traditional face-to-face instruction.