THE USE OF E-LEARNING IN INTERCULTURAL LANGUAGE TRAINING

1. THE USE OF E-LEARNING IN INTERCULTURAL LANGUAGE TRAINING Vienna 7-11 October 2007

2. The use of e-learning in intercultural language training Web-based technologies Multicultural students

3. Teaching culture for linguistic purposes • Factual knowledge • Cross-cultural contrastive approach • Communicative approach

4. Intercultural competence Learn your own culture to understand another culture!

5. C.A.L.L. & CULTURE Synchronous online communication (e.g. Chat, Web conference) Intimate atmosphere

6. What is E-Learning? Network (local area network or the Internet) synchronous (real time) asynchronous (self-paced) instructor-led computer-based Combination Distributed learning Distance learning Computer Based Training Web-Based Training 1996: first Web courses

7. Teaching of culture Factual knowledge: Highbrow info (e.g., literature and the arts) Lowbrow info (e.g., customs, habits, folklore) Factual knowledge shortcomings (Huebener 1959): - It downplays the meaning of culture - The target group's identity is not fully understood

8. Cross-cultural contrastive approach cross-cultural psychology and anthropology: compare and contrast the similarities and differences between your own and the target cultures

9. Shortcomings: Cross-cultural contrastive approach... ...Reduces culture to a few salient principles ...Fossilizes stereotypes ...Hyper-sensitizes language learners to cross-cultural differences ...Fails to notice individual variations within each culture

10. Communicative approach Learners take on the role of foreigners Target: gain insight into the values and meanings of the foreign culture

11. Communicative approach shortcomings: • Enculturalization: (Learners acquire new cultural frames of reference and a new world view) • Contrast between monolithic portrayal • of target culture and the reality • of English as an international language

12. Intercultural competence • Be aware of the meeting of cultures taking place in foreign language communication • Achieve intellectual objectivity by becoming familiar with your own culture • Foreign language teachers should promote cultural curiosity

13. Outdated approaches: Language-learning : books and verbs Multi-media courses : learn a language in days, with no effort

14. Information Technology and culture teaching CALL is about language and language is a cultural issue par excellence (Cameron, 1998)

15. Synchronous communication technologies • Lack of training programs for language teachers • Lack of teaching methods

16. E-learning asynchronous and synchronous tools - Web conferencing environment - Chat/Forums - Instant messaging - Voice over IP - E-mail The trainer must be aware of and choose the appropriate tools for the respective teaching method

17. Priorities in online teaching methods • Develop a training program for online language trainers • Enable them to interrelate objectives and methods • Integrate hands-on experience with theoretical knowledge • Use well-established methods with new technology

18. Language trainers should... ...Transfer face-to-face teaching methods to the virtual classroom ... Become familiar with the new tools and learn how to adapt them for their own purposes

19. Distance in E-Learning • Learners may be situated in different regions all over the world • Communication partners appear to be only a few centimetres away • Synchronous online communication produces an intimate situation

20. Expectations in hot culture • Involvement of all communication partners • Opportunity to actively participate People not used to hot culture may come to misunderstandings and insults

21. New hardware and software... ...Have a deep impact on language training ...Abolish distance between people ...Make intercultural learning a goal within reach

22. E-Learning as a tool to deliver intercultural learning: • Can satisfy the high demand of native speakers in language teaching • People from different cultures can meet in online courses Intercultural aspects: - Classroom communication follows different cultural patterns - Students from different cultures expect different teaching styles

23. New teacher's role: Instructor Facilitator  New Student's role:  Recipient  Active knowledge constructor

24. Traditional strategies perfectly suitable for the online classroom • Group work • Group building • Providing tasks for groups • Allocate different roles in a group • They should be adapted to synchronous online communication tools

25. Assessment materials to attract students - Use of tests and quizzes in a formative way - Feedback on quizzes and discussion about mistakes ?

26. Instant feedback... ...Is rewarding ...Enables students to appreciate the progress they make ...Eliminates the element of doubt about right and wrong ...Is personal and private and eliminates embarrassment

27. Variety in approaches to learning • Lack of variety brings boredom • - Online tools may help some students overcome barriers

28. Multi-cultural quiz on behavioural norms Students are required to think about how others live The acquisition of information is enjoyable and memorable

29. True/False exercise Example: Finding your way around the city Street names could raise awareness and stimulate intellectual curiosity

30. Development of teaching materials View them critically Detect weaknesses and strengths Implement monitoring, evaluation, and modification

31. Students' feedback on our materials They are amusing They enhance their knowledge of the target language country Our e-learning platform is useful and user-friendly Students complained about time schedules

32. Students' feedback on Web-based learning • faced some initial difficulties in using technology • soon got used to using the platform features • were interested in sharing of opinions • understood the possibilities offered by the Internet concerning cultural issues Conclusion: E-learning has an important part to play in fostering intercultural competence!

33. Question & Answers Q & A