This volume provides foreign language educators and classroom researchers with an introduction to online intercultural exchange, the activity of engaging foreign language learners in collaborative project work with partners from other cultures through the use of online communication tools such as email, discussion boards and videoconferencing. The authors use their extensive experience in both the practice and research of online exchange to present a clear overview of the pedagogical theory behind online exchange and its contribution to different aspects of foreign language learning, including communicative competence, intercultural awareness and learner autonomy. The chapters look at different ways of organising such projects, such as the Tandem and Cultura models, and also provide clear discussions on practical aspects of the area including task design, the choice of communication tools and the role of the teacher. This edited collection is a rigorous exploration of one particular type of educational exchange, one which should help language teachers and technologists alike get the most out of language learners. Any teacher considering using "social software" to connect his or her class with others could find this book fascinating reading. ― Darren Elliott, Nanzan University, Nagoya, Japan, in TESL-EJ Vol 12, No. 2 This state-of-the-art volume comprehensively covers the theory, research, and practice of online cultural exchanges. It is an important addition to the literature on technology use in the language classroom. ― Mark Warschauer, Professor of Education, University of California, Irvine Online Intercultural Exchange brings together a wealth of inspirational case studies, hard-won wisdom and sound, practical advice for teachers embarking on the adventure of using communications technology to explore language and culture. As someone who has dipped his toe in virtual learning environments and had it painfully stubbed several times, I wish this book had been available to me some time ago. ― John Corbett, University of Glasgow Telecollaboration has enormous potential for foreign language education. This book shows how it can live up to its promise in mainstream teaching. Clearly a 'must read' for anybody interested in this exciting new field. ― Markus Ritter, Lecturer in ELT, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany Dr. Robert O'Dowd comes from Ireland and is Full Professor for English Studies at the University of León, Spain. He has taught at universities in Ireland, Germany and Spain and has numerous publications on the application of Virtual Exchange in university and pre-university education settings. He was the founding president of the UNICollaboration academic organization for telecollaboration and virtual exchange (www.unicollaboration.org) and has been invited to be plenary speaker at international conferences in the US, Asia and across Europe. Online Intercultural Exchange An Introduction for Foreign Language Teachers By Robert O'Dowd Multilingual Matters Copyright © 2007 Robert O'Dowd and the authors of individual chapters All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-84769-008-1 Contents Notes on Contributors, vii, Foreword, xv, Part 1: Introduction to this Volume and its Theme, 1 Introduction Robert O'Dowd, 3, 2 Foreign Language Education and the Rise of Online Communication: A Review of Promises and Realities Robert O'Dowd, 17, Part 2: Models of Online Intercultural Exchange, 3 Models of Telecollaboration (1): eTandem Breffni O'Rourke, 41, 4 Models of Telecollaboration (2): Cultura Jesus Suarez Garcia and James Crapotta, 62, 5 Models of Telecollaboration (3): eTwinning Antonia Dominguez Miguela, 85, Part 3: Issues and Questions in Online Intercultural Exchange, 6 Grammar and Feedback: Turning to Language Form in Telecollaboration Paige D. Ware and Maria Luisa Pérez Cañado, 107, 7 The Development of Intercultural Communicative Competence in Telecollaborative Partnerships Julie A. Belz, 127, 8 Teacher Role in Telecollaboration: Setting Up and Managing Exchanges Andreas Muller-Hartmann, 167, 9 How Can Online Exchanges Be Used with Young Learners? Isabel Perez Torres and Margarita Vinagre, 193, 10 Choosing the Appropriate Communication Tools for an Online Exchange Melinda Dooly, 213, Part 4: Practical Accounts and Experiences of Online Exchange, 11 Foreword Robert O'Dowd, 237, 12 Integrating Tandem Learning in Higher Education Margarita Vinagre, 240, 13 The Tridem Project Mirjam Hauck and Tim Lewis, 250, 14 The Japan – Korea Culture Exchange Project Christopher Chase and Paul Alexander, 259, 15 Using the Moodle Platform in Online Exchanges Alfred Markey, 264, 16 Voice Chats in the Intercultural Classroom: The ABC's Online Project Eva Wilden, 269, 17 Learning to Teach Online: 'Le francais en (premiere) ligne' Project Christine Develotte, Francois Mangenot and Katerina Zourou, 276, 18 One-to-one Desktop Videoconferencing for Developing Oral Skills: Prospects i