italian army language school vienna 7-11 october 2007

ITALIAN ARMY LANGUAGE SCHOOL

Vienna 7-11 October 2007


The use of e-learning in intercultural language training

Web-based technologies

Multicultural students


Teaching culture for linguistic purposes

Factual knowledge

Cross-cultural contrastive approach

Communicative approach


Intercultural competence

Learn your own culture to understand another culture!


C.A.L.L. & CULTURE

Synchronous online communication

Intimate atmosphere

(e.g. Chat, Web conference)


What is E-Learning?

Distributed learningDistance learningComputer Based TrainingWeb-Based Training

synchronous (real time)asynchronous (self-paced)

instructor-ledcomputer-based

Combination

1996: first Web courses

Network (local area network or the Internet)


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


Cross-cultural contrastive approach

cross-cultural psychology

compare and contrast the similarities and differences between your own and the

target cultures

and anthropology:


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


Communicative approach

Learners take on the role of foreigners

Target:

gain insight into the values and meanings of the foreign culture


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


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


Outdated approaches:

Language-learning :books and verbs

Multi-media courses :learn a language in days, with no effort


Information Technology and culture teaching

CALL is about language and language is a cultural issue par excellence

(Cameron, 1998)


Synchronous communication technologies

Lack of training programs for language teachers

Lack of teaching methods


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


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


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


Distance in E-LearningLearners 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


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


New hardware and software......Have a deep impact on language training

...Abolish distance between people

...Make intercultural learning a goal within reach


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


Instructor

Recipient

New teacher's role:Facilitator

New Student's role: Active knowledge

constructor


Traditional strategies perfectly suitable for the online classroom

Group workGroup buildingProviding tasks for groupsAllocate different roles in a group

They should be adapted to synchronous online communication tools


Assessment materials to attract students

- Use of tests and quizzes in a formative way- Feedback on quizzes and discussion about mistakes

?


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


Variety in approaches to learning

-Lack of variety brings boredom

- Online tools may help some students overcome barriers


Multi-cultural quiz on behavioural norms

Students are required to think about how others live

The acquisition of information is enjoyable and memorable


True/False exercise

Example: Finding your way around the city Street names could raise awareness and stimulate intellectual curiosity


Development of teaching materials

View them critically

Detect weaknesses and strengths

Implement monitoring, evaluation, and modification


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


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!

ITALIAN ARMY LANGUAGE SCHOOLQuestion & AnswersQuestion & Answers

italian army language school vienna 7-11 october 2007

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