Speaker
Description
The International Virtual Exchange Project (IVEProject) is an 8-week exchange held twice each year, designed to improve students' English and cultivate intercultural competence. Participants engage in forum-based exchanges, bringing their own personal experiences and cultural perspectives to sharing with real people from other cultures. In addition to large-scale discussions, students also form smaller groups for more intimate group discussions and participate in other activities to improve their intercultural competence.
Abstract
The International Virtual Exchange Project (IVEProject) is an 8-week collaborative online exchange held twice each year that is designed to improve students' English language skills and cultivate intercultural competence among participants worldwide. Connecting a global community of several thousand students, the project moves beyond classroom language learning and contrived discussions with Artificial Intelligence to promote authentic interaction and collaborative learning. Participants engage in forum-based message exchanges and idea sharing, bringing their own personal experiences, cultural perspectives, and global issues to the forums and sharing them with real people like themselves but from other cultures. In addition to large-scale discussions with thousands of participants, students also have the opportunity to form smaller groups for more intimate group discussions. Beyond the forums, there are other activities, known as "side-quests" for additional sharing and exchange opportunities. These include an international recipe book, art gallery, and World Music exchange.
The topics discussed vary greatly from "big C" topics like food, dress, and music; to "small c" topics about how and why certain perspectives are similar or different across cultural boundaries. The IVEProject promotes cultural understanding through direct engagement with diverse viewpoints via the other members of the exchange community leading to interactions that challenge each participants' preconceived notions, and broaden their worldviews. Crucial to developing intercultural competence, participating students encounter authentic cultural differences and occasionally communicative difficulties that need to be navigated. Through the exchange, participants share information, and join a global community to improve their intercultural competence.
Keywords
Virtual Exchange
Culture
Intercultural Competence
Global Community
References
References to "big C" and "small c" - Hidden culture refer to Hall, 1977
Hall, E. (1977). Beyond culture. Garden City, NY: Anchor Press.
IVEProject Website
https://iveproject.org
Short summary
The International Virtual Exchange Project (IVEProject) is an 8-week exchange held twice each year, designed to improve students' English and cultivate intercultural competence. Participants engage in forum-based exchanges, bringing their own personal experiences and cultural perspectives to sharing with real people from other cultures. In addition to large-scale discussions, students also form smaller groups for more intimate group discussions and participate in other activities to improve their intercultural competence.
| Scheduling preference | Anytime on Saturday or Sunday |
|---|---|
| Title | Building Intercultural Competence Through Virtual Exchange Communities |