Zooming across Cultures: Can a Telecollaborative Video Exchange between Language Learning Partners Further the Development of Intercultural Competences?

Autor/inn/en	Freiermuth, Mark R.; Huang, Hsin-chou
Titel	Zooming across Cultures: Can a Telecollaborative Video Exchange between Language Learning Partners Further the Development of Intercultural Competences?
Quelle	In: Foreign Language Annals, 54 (2021) 1, S.185-206 (22 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0015-718X
DOI	10.1111/flan.12504
Schlagwörter	Second Language Learning; Second Language Instruction; Videoconferencing; College Students; Cultural Awareness; Intercultural Communication; English (Second Language); Teaching Methods; International Educational Exchange; Exchange Programs; Computer Mediated Communication; Program Descriptions; Language Usage; Pragmatics; Interpersonal Relationship; Language Teachers; Teacher Attitudes; Foreign Countries; Japan; Taiwan + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Zweitsprachenerwerb; Fremdsprachenunterricht; Collegestudent; Cultural identity; Kulturelle Identität; Interkulturelle Kommunikation; English as second language; English; Second Language; Englisch als Zweitsprache; Teaching method; Lehrmethode; Unterrichtsmethode; Internationaler Austausch; Exchange programme; Exchange program; Exchange programmes; Austauschprogramm; Computerkonferenz; Sprachgebrauch; Pragmalinguistik; Interpersonal relation; Interpersonal relations; Interpersonelle Beziehung; Zwischenmenschliche Beziehung; Language teacher; Sprachunterricht; Lehrerverhalten; Ausland
Abstract	In the context of learning a second language, the passing on of cultural information as a means to further the development of intercultural competences is primarily viewed as being unidirectional--the "native-speaking culture" passing on information to the language learning student. However, in EFL (English as a foreign language) environments, the most relatable cultural norms available to the learners tend to be those associated with their homeland--the place they presently reside. As such, teaching language learning students using a unidirectional cultural frame ignores the wealth of cultural knowledge that such language learners possess. Offering cultural exchanges between groups of different language learners is one way to facilitate cultural learning in a bidirectional manner. In this study, 11 university students, six Japanese and five Taiwanese, took part in a cultural exchange project using the videoconferencing application "Zoom." Findings from the data suggest that such telecollaborative video activities are mutually beneficial for exchanging local cultural information. We conclude that such exchanges develop intercultural competences via increased verbosity, the application of polite language, and of the utmost importance, by building interpersonal relationships. For language teachers who ascribe to a belief in the value of intercultural exchanges, applications like "Zoom" open up avenues for student interactions that are real, meaningful, and culturally rich. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01