Module 5 - Inter-and transcultural Dimension
This module has the following aims:
- raise awareness of cultural misunderstandings portrayed on social networks and their contexts;
- explore an online platform with projects on DCE;
- reflect on the potential of such projects for the FL classroom.
In order to do so, you will be asked to:
- Task 1 - Reflect on cultural misunderstandings in real and online contexts.
- Task 2 - Explore the eTwinning platform and reflect on its potential within DCE in the Foreign language Classroom.Inter and Transcultural Dimension: global and digital interaction
In a world where cultural encounters and cultural diversity are a crucial component of digital environments, the Inter and Transcultural Dimension aims to promote students’ contact with people from other cultures and help them understand cross-cultural and intercultural differences/similarities as well as facilitate the interaction with foreign language cultures and exchange worldviews as global-digital citizens.
VIDEO CORNER
Watch the video to get more familiar with the Inter and Transcultural Dimension.
TASK CORNER
- Cultural Misunderstandings
Task 1
Watch videos about cultural misunderstandings and reflect on why they happen, how people react to them, what’s similar/different in real life/ online contexts.If you have the opportunity, you can also read text "Online Communication and Misunderstanding" to learn more about online communication and misunderstandings with tips to avoid them and think about the contexts in which these situation (may) happen to us. It is also a way to add-on ideas to the previous activity.Misunderstandings:
Intercultural awareness 10 tips:
Gestures:
- eTwinning
Task 2
Are you familiar with eTwinning?
eTwinning (https://www.etwinning.net/en/pub/index.htm) is a platform for staff (teachers, head teachers, librarians, etc.), working in a school in a European country to communicate, collaborate, and develop projects around different themes. eTwinning is co-funded by the Erasmus+, the European programme for Education, Training, Youth and Sport.
You may find some eTwinning project ideas (available at https://www.etwinning.net/en/pub/get-inspired/kits.cfm). They consist of kits with step-by-step guides to successful eTwinning projects, which can be used as benchmarks for teachers who wish to implement similar projects, or as tools for inspiration for fresh ideas.
We have selected some examples of eTwinning projects with the description of the activities for you to explore.
Then, reflect on the following questions:
Which inter and transcultural aspects were you able to identify in these projects?
What positive/negative aspects related to the proposed activities would you like to highlight?
Would it be possible to conduct any of these projects in your own context? Which project? Why?
- Have you ever participated in an eTwinning project? How would you rate the experience? Which were the main highlights in terms of the development of students’ intercultural and transcultural awareness? Which were the main constraints you and your students experienced?
How would you feel about creating your own eTwinning project? Which themes related to inter and transcultural aspects would you like to focus on? Would you like to work with people from other countries in this project? If yes, from where? Which activities would you like to develop? Which would be the possible constraints? Which would be the benefits for you and your class? How could you deal with some possible constraints?
If you want, you may use this Power Point template to present your ideas. You may also involve your students in this task.
If you wish, you can access this Padlet to look at some ideas shared by other teachers.
If you want, you may also:
Explore the eTwinning platform. (If you don’t have an account, please register). https://www.etwinning.net/pt/pub/index.htm
Explore projects that have already been developed in the following website: https://www.etwinning.net/en/pub/get-inspired/projects.cfm