Making Borderless Communication the Norm with Virtual Exchange

Hagley E., Tuncer H.

6th Saarbrücken Conference on Foreign Language Teaching- Communication across Borders -Teaching, Learning and Speaking the Languages of the World, Saarbrücken, Almanya, 27 - 29 Ekim 2021, ss.6

  • Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Özet Bildiri
  • Basıldığı Şehir: Saarbrücken
  • Basıldığı Ülke: Almanya
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.6
  • Çukurova Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

The case for incorporating Virtual Exchange (VE) into all second and foreign language curricula is becoming stronger. Research into the benefits of VE shows conclusive evidence for this. The problems ahead are: convincing policy makers that VE be included in the curricula, and creating means for language teachers and their students to easily access it. When achieved, cross-border communication will become the norm for foreign language classrooms as the ability to communicate internationally will be inbuilt into the curricula. An example of this happening, one which has achieved success, is The International Virtual Exchange Project (IVEProject). Supported by both qualitative and quantitative data, this presentation will outline research on a number of different groups but focus on one particular group. It shows that Turkish pre-service EFL teachers' intercultural competence development and VE experiences were positive. The outcome of the study demonstrates that students’ intercultural sensitivity increased through participation in the IVEProject and they enjoyed this cross-border communication. Other outcomes of the project will also be discussed. 

 

The IVEProject gives students an easy way to communicate internationally as the platform has students from over 20 countries (that number is increasing) interacting via text, video and audio. The majority of the students are studying English but there are examples of dual-language VE as well. This borderless platform is changing students’ and teachers’ philosophy of communicative language learning. The relatively authentic means of communication ensures foreign language classes have a very “real” feel about them promoting borderless communication which doesn’t involve native speakers. Research is beginning to show this is better received by students of EFL and of more value to them. The presentation will finish with a brief outline of how teachers can join this or similar projects and ideas on how to incorporate VE into the foreign language curriculum.