Abstract
Sustainable Development Objective 4 aims to ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and culture’s contribution. Looking back at effective instructional strategies implemented during COVID-19, English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers could keep transforming learning experiences by developing digital literacies, language skills and culture awareness through videoconferencing exchanges. The purpose of this paper is to share how exchanges of this type resulted in an opportunity to develop intercultural competencies that prepare pre-service EFL teachers to become global citizens by fostering cultural and linguistic diversity. Videoconferencing exchanges brought together EFL pre-service teachers and language learners in geographically distant locations via means of online communication to develop language skills and intercultural competence. Intercultural competence is the ability to develop targeted knowledge, skills and attitudes that lead to visible behavior and communication that are both effective and appropriate in intercultural interactions. To this matter, in this study, pre-service teachers at a public university in Costa Rica share their findings after analysing their experiences as participants in a series of video conferencing exchanges with students in a Canadian university. Using Deardoof´s model that frames attitudes, knowledge, skills, internal outcomes and external outcomes as core components, pre-service teachers assessed how this instructional strategy in their EFL Teaching Program provides the opportunity to guide them in their role as members of a large global community and use their skills and education to contribute to that community.
Presenters
Lena Barrantes ElizondoProfessor, Foreign Languages, Universidad Nacional, Sede Regional Brunca, San José, Costa Rica Karla Granados Valverde
Student, Bachelor Degree, Universidad Nacional, Sede Regional Brunca, San José, Costa Rica Fernando Méndez Zúñiga
Student, Bachelor Degree , Universidad Nacional, Sede Regional Brunca, San José, Costa Rica
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Intercultural Competence, Global Citizenship, EFL Teaching and Learning, Pre-service teachers
