EFL Learners' Intercultural Competence Development in an International Web Collaboration Project

Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals

Y

14

English (Second Language); Second Language Learning; Second Language Instruction; Language Teachers; Intercultural Communication; Blended Learning; Student Attitudes; Computer Mediated Communication; Cultural Awareness; Interviews; Foreign Countries; International Cooperation; Management Systems; Journal Writing; Learning Experience; Program Descriptions; Online Courses; Instructional Materials; Secondary School Students; Learning Motivation; Questionnaires; Web Sites; Teaching Methods; Portfolios (Background Materials)

Bulgaria; Hungary; Italy; Turkey

10.1080/09571736.2013.869941

0957-1736

This article is based on an analysis of a small sample of data from an international web collaboration project between four classes of English as a foreign language (EFL) learners guided by their English teachers in four different countries in Europe. As few studies have been published about intercultural communication in blended learning EFL contexts, the aim was to explore the participating students' intercultural competence development and their perceptions of the usefulness of their online collaboration in this respect. The analysis of the learners' posts was supplemented by insights gained from their teachers' evaluation and the project team's lesson observations as well as two group interviews with students. Despite the learners' initial difficulties and "faux pas" in communication, the data indicate noticeable development in their intercultural competence throughout the five months of the web collaboration project.

As Provided

24

2015

EJ1059302