Speaker
Description
Abstract: This workshop will explain how to set up and run an online language exchange program as part of a language curriculum. I will walk through the practical considerations of managing such a program, focusing on the technology and learner management systems needed for the program to run smoothly.
Two examples of an online language exchange program will be introduced; written correspondence and live video exchange programs. We will cover classroom equipment, the pros and cons of different communication platforms, and how to coordinate learners across international borders. We will look at various online communication activities that can be assigned, how monitoring learner participation and engagement works, and troubleshoot some common problems that can arise.
Participants will gain an understanding of the logistical requirements needed for running an online language exchange program tailored to their students, and an overview of the different applications and platforms available for them to use.
Author Bio
My name is Rosalind Shiraishi, and I am currently an adjunct lecturer at Nagasaki University and Nagasaki University of Foreign Studies. In 2020, during the pandemic, I designed, initiated and managed an online language exchange program with English learners at Nagasaki Junior College, and Japanese learners in Wellington, New Zealand. The program was enjoyed by students in both countries and successful enough that it continued post-pandemic and ran as a core part of the English curriculum from 2021~2023.