Abstract
To support the University’s desire to cultivate global citizenship, develop students’ intercultural communicative competence in English and reflective learning, this project centres on the enhancement of two alternative communication-intensive ELTU (English Language Teaching Unit) courses, Intercultural Communication through English and English through Performing Arts through a series of student-centered learning activities in a digital and multimedia format.
Approach
This project expands from the existing Digital Human Libraries, and provides a series of student-generated and student-community collaborative multimodal texts through:
- Introducing and developing intercultural global citizenship project in the Intercultural Communication through English course;
- Revamping the English through Performing Arts course by developing a new module on creative arts e.g., foreign language films through intercultural learning;
- Utilizing the pre-recorded, student-generated videos to facilitate real-time discussions on Zoom and/or other online platforms;
- Holding live, interactive workshops to encourage intercultural dialogue between students and invited speakers on Zoom; and
- Reviewing systematically the learning tasks and materials in the two courses mentioned.
Outcomes
- To have (online) learning materials/practices that facilitate language learning and reflection, cultivation of global citizenship and intercultural sensitivity, and collaborative online learning in Intercultural Communication through English;
- To have Learning materials/practices that facilitate the cultivation of global citizenship and mastering of the English language through reflective speech and/or writing and informative speech and/or writing in English through Performing Arts;
- To have concrete suggestions for the implementation of similar initiatives provided for blended learning in ELTU courses.
Brief write-up
Project objectives
To support the University’s desire to cultivate global citizenship, develop students’ intercultural communicative competence in English and reflective learning, this project centres on the enhancement of two alternative communication-intensive courses offered by the English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU), “Intercultural Communication through English” and “English through Performing Arts” through a series of student-centered learning activities in a digital and multimedia format.
Activities, process and outcomes
Interactive-based activities, namely, The Human Library, were conducted to allow students to interact with students from different regions. External collaborations with three overseas universities were set up in the Human Library. In the Intercultural Communication through English course, the 29 course participants from diverse disciplines conducted interviews with individuals with different cultural backgrounds on a self-selected intercultural topic. The students also presented their findings and reflections in the course.
Deliverables and evaluation
All the data collected during and after the course (e.g., post-activity reflections, presentations, post-course questionnaires) were analyzed. The results pointed to meaningful growth in language enhancement and intercultural competence. Perceptions of the project were positive.
Dissemination, diffusion, impact and sharing of good practices
A course website has been created for the course participants to access the learning materials. An online presentation will be given at an overseas symposium on English language teaching in May and a forum organized by the National Dong Hwa University in June 2022 respectively.
Impact on teaching and learning
Experiential learning, including regular guided critical reflection, is crucial to promote meaningful gains in language enhancement, intercultural sensitivity, and global citizenship. Interactive tasks and experiential learning activities (e.g., Human Library, Intercultural Global Citizenship Projects) can be devised to facilitate language and intercultural learning.
