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Promoting Internet-mediated intercultural foreign language education in China: models & implications

China 2007 International Conference on Online FLE. Promoting Internet-mediated intercultural foreign language education in China: models & implications. Presented by Liang Wang The Open University, UK Weihai, China Aug 17-18, 2007. China 2007 International Conference on Online FLE

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Promoting Internet-mediated intercultural foreign language education in China: models & implications

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  1. China 2007 International Conference on Online FLE Promoting Internet-mediated intercultural foreign language education in China: models & implications Presented by Liang Wang The Open University, UK Weihai, China Aug 17-18, 2007

  2. China 2007 International Conference on Online FLE Weihai 17-18 Aug, 2007 Outline • Introduction to ICFLE • FLE in China & online development • Theoretical & pedagogical development • Cases of online FLE development • Implications Page 1/14

  3. China 2007 International Conference on Online FLE Weihai 17-18 Aug, 2007 Introduction to ICFLE – 1 • Internet-mediated intercultural foreign language education (Belz & Thorne, 2006) • 4 types • Telecollaboration (Int’l class-to-class exchanges) • Tandem learning (language exchanges) • Local learner-informant partnership (via Internet connection) • Internet community Page 2/14

  4. China 2007 International Conference on Online FLE Weihai 17-18 Aug, 2007 Introduction to ICFLE – 2 • Gap in China • National syllabi emphasize ICC & use of Internet resources • More discussion, less action • Purpose • Highlight the potentials and challenges that Internet technologies bring to ICFLE in China • A progressive approach to a pedagogical framework Page 3/14

  5. China 2007 International Conference on Online FLE Weihai 17-18 Aug, 2007 FLE in China – 1 • Huge population vs. limited educational resources (Jin & Cortazzi, 1998) • Teaching-to-exam mode vs. needs of competent language professionals (ibid.) • ‘Teacher-led, classroom-dependent, and textbook-based’ (Gu, 2002) • Online programs no better than e-textbooks (Gu, 2006; Zhong & Shen, 2002) Page 4/14

  6. China 2007 International Conference on Online FLE Weihai 17-18 Aug, 2007 FLE in China – 2 • Trend: • Classroom plays the key role & textbooks the central part • Shift from teacher dominance to learner autonomy • Real-life tasks with Internet use • Blended instruction involving Internet technology mediation? Page 5/14

  7. China 2007 International Conference on Online FLE Weihai 17-18 Aug, 2007 Towards a framework of ICC – 1 • The intercultural communicative competence model (Byram, 1997) • Communicative competence • Intercultural competence • Knowledge • Attitude • Skills • Critical cultural awareness Skills (discover, interact) knowledge Critical awareness Skills (interpret, relate) Attitudes Page 6/14

  8. Input Noticing Reflection Reflection Noticing Output China 2007 International Conference on Online FLE Weihai 17-18 Aug, 2007 Towards a framework of ICC – 2 • A progressive approach • A process model of intercultural teaching & learning (Liddicoat, 2004) • A technological dimension (information & communication tools) • A pedagogical framework for online ICC development Page 7/14

  9. China 2007 International Conference on Online FLE Weihai 17-18 Aug, 2007 Cases of online ICC development – 1 • Cultura project (Furstenberg et al., 2001) • Telecollaboration (constructivist approach) • Critical perceptions of both the home culture and the target culture • Active participation and progressive activities • Filling in web-based questionnaires in their own languages (input – lexical, semantic awareness) • Comparing results in parallel lists (noticing) • Hypothesizing possible reasons for differences and similarities with additional resources (exploring, interpreting, constructing…) • Interacting and negotiating with online partners to investigate the cultural values and beliefs (reflecting, re-constructing) • Huge effort in design and implementation Page 8/14

  10. China 2007 International Conference on Online FLE Weihai 17-18 Aug, 2007 Cases of online ICC development – 2 • CrossCall project (King, 2006) • Local learner-informant partnership • Linking pupils in school language classes with local undergraduates of the target languages • Meeting pupils’ needs of real one-to-one communication with competent speakers for linguistic and cultural exchanges • Face-to-face meeting at the start; Paired groups • VLE WebCT under teachers’ guidance - socializing, input - consulting, negotiating - reflecting, constructing • High demand in stable and secure connection Page 9/14

  11. China 2007 International Conference on Online FLE Weihai 17-18 Aug, 2007 Cases of online ICC development – 3 • Blue Rain Café (Gao, 2007) • Developed from an English language club • Internet community without native speaker of English • Meeting in an online forum • Enhancing language learning & use with spontaneous use of Internet tools • Social networking via the medium of English • Strong sense of community ID building • unorganized input, exploring, discussing, reflecting • No designated pedagogic tasks, nor professional instruction Page 10/14

  12. China 2007 International Conference on Online FLE Weihai 17-18 Aug, 2007 Implications – Where to Go? • Case 1 (Cultura): establishing collaborative institutional partnership (policy, pedagogy, technology) • Case 2 (CrossCall): utilizing local foreign residents who are qualified as language and cultural informants in VLE (overseas teachers, students, business and industrial personals) • Case 3 (Café): leading learners through purpose-built process of community of practice in line with intercultural learning Page 11/14

  13. China 2007 International Conference on Online FLE Weihai 17-18 Aug, 2007 Painstaking Vs. IcebreakingAdapt rather than adopt!Qs & AsContact: L.Wang@open.ac.uk Page 12/14

  14. China 2007 International Conference on Online FLE Weihai 17-18 Aug, 2007 Main references: • BELZ, J. A. & THORNE, S. L. (2006) Introduction: Internet-mediated Intercultural Foreign Language Education and the Intercultural Speaker. IN BELZ, J. A. & THORNE, S. L. (Eds.) AAUSC 2005: Internet-mediated Intercultural Foreign Language Education. Boston, Thomson Heinle. • BYRAM, M. (1997) Teaching and Assessing Intercultural Communicative Competence, Clevedon: Multilingual Matters Ltd. • FURSTENBERG, G., LEVET, S., ENGLISH, K. & MAILLET, K. (2001) Giving A Virtual Voice to the Silent Language of Culture: The CULTURA Project. Language Learning & Technology, 5, 55-102. http://llt.msu.edu/vol5num1/furstenberg/default.html (Accessed on 14/03/2004) • GAO, X. (2007) A tale of Blue Rain Cafe: A study on the online narrative construction about a community of English learners on the Chinese mainland. System, 35, 259-270. • LIDDICOAT, A. J. (2004) Internationalisation as education. Part 1 of Models of intercultural learning and development. http://www.unisanet.unisa.edu.au/learningconnection/staff/intrnt/report/models.pdf (Accessed on 29/06/2005) • KING, T. (2006) Final Report to CfBT Education Trust. London, University College of London. • O’DOWD, R. (2006) Telecollaboration and the Development of Intercultural Communicative Competence, Munchen, Langenscheidt ELT GmbH. • THORNE, S. L. (2006) Pedagogical and Praxiological Lessons from Internet-mediated Intercultural Foreign Language Education Research. IN BELZ, J. A. & THORNE, S. L. (Eds.) AAUSC 2005: Internet-mediated Intercultural Foreign Language Education. Boston, Thomson Heinle. Page 13/14

  15. China 2007 International Conference on Online FLE Weihai 17-18 Aug, 2007 • Note: English corner/club is a form of interaction between non-native speakers of English at fixed places beyond the classroom. This is a unique sociocultural phenomenon in China due to the short of proficient and native speakers and the lack of real-life opportunities for authentic communication. An image of Blue Rain Café (source from Gao, 2007) Back Page 14/14

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