Understanding the "Other Side": Intercultural learning in a Spanish-English e-mail exchange
Year: 2003
Type: article
Abstract: Intercultural learning is often assumed to be an automatic benefit of e-mail exchanges between groups of learners in different countries, but little research exists on whether on-line intercultural collaboration does actually develop learners' understanding of the other culture's perspective and world view.This paper reviews what recent literature suggests intercultural learning to involve and then reports on a year-long e-mail exchange between Spanish and English second year university language learners.Using the results of qualitative research, the paper identifies key characteristics of e-mail exchanges which helped to develop learners' intercultural communicative competence (Byram, 1997).It also outlines elements of e-mail messages which may enable students to develop successful intercultural relationships with their partners.
Source: Language learning & technology
DOI: 10.64152/10125/25202
Author: Robert O'Dowd
Institution: University of Duisburg-Essen
Language: English
Subfield: Communication
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W2140417336