Online Intercultural Exchange ― An Introduction for Foreign Language Teachers

This volume provides foreign language educators and classroom researchers with an introduction to online intercultural exchange, the activity of engaging foreign language learners in collaborative project work with partners from other cultures through the use of online communication tools such as email, discussion boards and videoconferencing. The authors use their extensive experience in both the practice and research of online exchange to present a clear overview of the pedagogical theory behind online exchange and its contribution to different aspects of foreign language learning, including communicative competence, intercultural awareness and learner autonomy. The chapters look at different ways of organising such projects, such as the Tandem and Cultura models, and also provide clear discussions on practical aspects of the area including task design, the choice of communication tools and the role of the teacher.

Robert O'Dowd is a teacher and teacher-trainer and has a Ph.D. on the development of intercultural competence through the use of networked technologies in the foreign language classroom. He teaches EFL and Foreign Language Methodology at the University of Leon in Spain, where he is also involved in various research projects related to online intercultural exchange. His other special interests include the role of the teacher in online education and the role of culture in foreign language education.