Schedule: 2009-09-12 (10:45 - 11:30)
Parallel Session 2 (Room A-31)

Title: Integrating networked interaction in foreign language learning and teacher training programs.
Authors: Kristi Jauregi, Milan Kriz, Huub Bergh
Abstract: The European project Networked Interaction in Foreign language Acquisition and Research (NIFLAR 2009-2011, Lifelong Learning Program) seeks to enrich the educational context of both foreign language learning and teacher training programs with the assistance of two innovative e-learning environments: video-web communication and 3D virtual worlds. The first one facilitates synchronous conversations where speech partners can talk and listen to each other, chat, share documents (flash documents, photos, audio(visual) fragments, power point presentations…) and collaborate in the synchronous writing process of different documents while seeing each other. Within Virtual Worlds different contextual settings will be created where peers will engage in encounters and activities such as simulations and virtual role plays according to the goals set by context-specific interaction tasks.
With the use of these interactive tools in combination with the elaboration of adequate interaction tasks, the project seeks to overcome limitations experienced and reported in current foreign language practices at secondary and tertiary education levels (reduced possibilities learners have to interact in the target language, lack of authenticity in communication processes enhanced in FL classrooms , inadequate and insufficient focus on the development of intercultural communicative competence, among others) and make learning and teaching processes more relevant and rewarding .
In our presentation we will describe the experience of integrating NIFLAR’s objectives in the Educational Master Course Language Education at our University, where pre-service teachers of modern languages participated in the pedagogical process of innovating and enriching educational contexts by reflecting about and experimenting with ways to introduce, coach and monitor networked interaction in language teaching. During the course pre-service teachers (1)discussed and reflected about crucial issues concerned with task elaboration for networked interaction (elaboration criteria, conditions for networked interaction, focus on intercultural communicative competence, proficiency levels according to the Common European Framework of Reference, research on networked interaction), (2) they engaged in task elaboration for video-web communication that would be carried out in dyads with students of Dutch as a foreign language from a University in Czech Republic, (3) they conducted the interactions according to the tasks elaborated for the exchanges and (4) they finally monitored the experience. In our presentation we will describe the process and outcomes of the experience focusing on the difficulties faced, the lessons learned and the success factors related to the integration of networked interaction in the curriculum.
Keywords: Computer mediated communication, task development, video-web communication, intercultural communicative competence, teacher training

Main topic: Computer Mediated Communication (CMC)

Biodata: Dr. Kristi Jauregi Ondarra is lecturer and researcher in applied linguistics at the Spanish Department of Utrecht University. Her fields of expertise include foreign language acquisition and teacher training, task-based language teaching, computer mediated communication, and intercultural pragmatics. She has participated in ICT projects and has directed the pilot experiences with video web communication. She now coordinates within the European Lifelong learning Program the NIFLAR project. Mgr. Milan Kříž University teacher of Dutch Language acquisition and didactics, sworn-in interpreter of Dutch in the Czech Republic, has wide experience in the field of teaching Dutch as a Foreign Language (primarily with the use of the audio-lexical approach within the method Spreken is zilver in combination with using songs in the target language and authentic material). He has also organized various projects (student exchanges, study trips, implementing Dutch as an optional subject in the Czech secondary schools) and participates regularly on international conferences. Since September 2001 is he involved in a research Ph.D. project in the field of “Teaching methods of Dutch as a Foreign Language in Central-Europe” at Utrecht University. Prof. Dr. Huub van den Bergh is researcher and lecturer at the Dutch Department, Utrecht University. His fields of expertise are language pedagogy, research methodology and testing, He has participated in different national projects, which aim to evaluate the quality of education at secondary level and is actively involved in the evaluation and quality control process of the national testing system for foreign languages. He has participated in national and international Congresses and has published several scientific articles on issues relevant to the NIFLAR project.
Type of presentation Paper presentation

Paper category Research & Development

Target educational sector Higher education

Language of delivery English

EU-funded project Yes

Schedule:	2009-09-12 (10:45 - 11:30) Parallel Session 2 (Room A-31)
Title:	Integrating networked interaction in foreign language learning and teacher training programs.
Authors:	Kristi Jauregi, Milan Kriz, Huub Bergh
Abstract:	The European project Networked Interaction in Foreign language Acquisition and Research (NIFLAR 2009-2011, Lifelong Learning Program) seeks to enrich the educational context of both foreign language learning and teacher training programs with the assistance of two innovative e-learning environments: video-web communication and 3D virtual worlds. The first one facilitates synchronous conversations where speech partners can talk and listen to each other, chat, share documents (flash documents, photos, audio(visual) fragments, power point presentations…) and collaborate in the synchronous writing process of different documents while seeing each other. Within Virtual Worlds different contextual settings will be created where peers will engage in encounters and activities such as simulations and virtual role plays according to the goals set by context-specific interaction tasks. With the use of these interactive tools in combination with the elaboration of adequate interaction tasks, the project seeks to overcome limitations experienced and reported in current foreign language practices at secondary and tertiary education levels (reduced possibilities learners have to interact in the target language, lack of authenticity in communication processes enhanced in FL classrooms , inadequate and insufficient focus on the development of intercultural communicative competence, among others) and make learning and teaching processes more relevant and rewarding . In our presentation we will describe the experience of integrating NIFLAR’s objectives in the Educational Master Course Language Education at our University, where pre-service teachers of modern languages participated in the pedagogical process of innovating and enriching educational contexts by reflecting about and experimenting with ways to introduce, coach and monitor networked interaction in language teaching. During the course pre-service teachers (1)discussed and reflected about crucial issues concerned with task elaboration for networked interaction (elaboration criteria, conditions for networked interaction, focus on intercultural communicative competence, proficiency levels according to the Common European Framework of Reference, research on networked interaction), (2) they engaged in task elaboration for video-web communication that would be carried out in dyads with students of Dutch as a foreign language from a University in Czech Republic, (3) they conducted the interactions according to the tasks elaborated for the exchanges and (4) they finally monitored the experience. In our presentation we will describe the process and outcomes of the experience focusing on the difficulties faced, the lessons learned and the success factors related to the integration of networked interaction in the curriculum.
Keywords:	Computer mediated communication, task development, video-web communication, intercultural communicative competence, teacher training
Main topic:	Computer Mediated Communication (CMC)
Biodata:	Dr. Kristi Jauregi Ondarra is lecturer and researcher in applied linguistics at the Spanish Department of Utrecht University. Her fields of expertise include foreign language acquisition and teacher training, task-based language teaching, computer mediated communication, and intercultural pragmatics. She has participated in ICT projects and has directed the pilot experiences with video web communication. She now coordinates within the European Lifelong learning Program the NIFLAR project. Mgr. Milan Kříž University teacher of Dutch Language acquisition and didactics, sworn-in interpreter of Dutch in the Czech Republic, has wide experience in the field of teaching Dutch as a Foreign Language (primarily with the use of the audio-lexical approach within the method Spreken is zilver in combination with using songs in the target language and authentic material). He has also organized various projects (student exchanges, study trips, implementing Dutch as an optional subject in the Czech secondary schools) and participates regularly on international conferences. Since September 2001 is he involved in a research Ph.D. project in the field of “Teaching methods of Dutch as a Foreign Language in Central-Europe” at Utrecht University. Prof. Dr. Huub van den Bergh is researcher and lecturer at the Dutch Department, Utrecht University. His fields of expertise are language pedagogy, research methodology and testing, He has participated in different national projects, which aim to evaluate the quality of education at secondary level and is actively involved in the evaluation and quality control process of the national testing system for foreign languages. He has participated in national and international Congresses and has published several scientific articles on issues relevant to the NIFLAR project.
Type of presentation	Paper presentation
Paper category	Research & Development
Target educational sector	Higher education
Language of delivery	English
EU-funded project	Yes