Skip to main content Accessibility help
×
Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-tf8b9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-25T23:29:00.287Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

10 - Cultural Transformation

Virtual Communities, Autonomous Contact, and Intercultural Competence

from Part III - Transformative Language Learning and Teaching Applications in University Programs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 January 2021

Dan E. Davidson
Affiliation:
American Councils for International Education
Get access

Summary

This chapter discusses the cultural transformation that world language learners can undergo when they engage with native speakers in virtual environments for autonomous interaction. Davidson (2010) outlines similar benefits for learners during variable-length study abroad programs; however, for many learners, access to study abroad is not feasible, practically or financially. Alternatives to study abroad experiences can be created using online resources and virtual communities of native speakers. Novice-level intensive courses and Advanced-level content courses in Russian provide instructional models. Portfolio and journal materials provide qualitative evidence of transformative experiences that learners undergo as they engage in mediating authentic artifacts and become increasingly culturally proficient.

Type
Chapter
Information
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2021

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure coreplatform@cambridge.org is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×