If you want your students to interact with students from other countries but are not sure how to organize that and also want your students to not only use English as an “academic” language but to use it in real-world communication, then join this workshop. The International Virtual Exchange Project (IVEProject) allows students to participate in a "global community" - something few who study EFL are able to do. Over the last 7 years more than 40,000 students from 25 countries interacted with each other online via this project. These participants now know what it means to collaborate with people around the world. This experience puts them in good stead to feel more confident in future international interactions.

Students have authentic communication with non-native speakers and thus develop intercultural communication skills. This is due to the fact they often have to negotiate meaning and acquiring this skill is essential to developing better communicative ability. Employers appreciate students with a advanced understanding of non-native English writing and speaking as non-native speakers will be the majority of people they will be communicating in English with in the coming century.

In this workshop, the project will firstly be outlined with research showing even students with low levels of English ability increase their interactional confidence, intercultural sensitivity, knowledge of their own culture, motivation to learn English, and are more interested in other cultures after participating in this project. The IVEProject has been sponsored by the Japanese government in the past and remains free-of-charge to participate. Participants in this workshop will also receive a hands on session to learn how they and their students can participate. This session will showcase the features and extra tools developed for the project that help teachers and students gain the intercultural understanding and communicative competence that comes with active participation in the IVEProject.

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Abstract Summary
In this workshop, the International Virtual Exchange Project will be outlined. Research shows students with low levels of English ability increase their interactional confidence, intercultural sensitivity and knowledge of their own culture whilst gaining motivation to learn English. They become more interested in other cultures after participating in this project. The IVEProject has been sponsored by the Japanese government in the past and remains free-of-charge to participate. Participants in this workshop will have a hands on session to learn how they and their students can participate. This session will showcase the features and extra tools developed for the project that help teachers and students gain the intercultural understanding and communicative competence that comes with active participation in the IVEProject.

Authors:
Eric Hagley, Griffith University, Australia

About the Presenter(s)
Mr Eric Hagley is a University Doctoral Student at Griffith University in Australia

See this presentation on the full schedule – Thursday Schedule

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