Mini-project #2

Intercultural communication

I think that intercultural communication is an excellent tool for language learning. It can be useful for many things from simply practicing language in an authentic context to really providing students with insight into another culture. However, I agree with all of the readings from last week that the cultural benifits that students recieve from intercultural communication can vary greatly.

I think it is extremely important for teachers to scaffold their students into a third space where they can reflect on both their native culture and the one in which they are communicating with. Only then can the students really practice recul and begin to understand a new culture.

Also, it is important for the intercultural communication to be well structured and monitored. By setting clear guidelines for students on both sides of the communication it is more likely that students will maintain similar expectations about their exchange and therefore feel more comfortable to communicate freely and openly with a person from anothe culture.

Video activities

I am having a hard time thinking of what to do for my video project. I would like to do something that I could use in an elementary classroom, but what? I considered just filming a bunch of random items that fit into a specific theme and then just having students say aloud what they see on the film. But, then I could just use flashcards for that. So...Maybe I could do like a video of a restaurant scene at Montereys and have the students whatch me order a meal in the TL. Then we could go on a field trip to the same restaurant. (I actually am about to go on a field trip to San Joses w my kindergarteners) I dont know..any ideas from my peers would be appreciated!

Citeulike

I think Citeulike is an excellent tool for research. It is so easy to see what other people have found that might be helpful to you. Also, its great so that other people can see what youve found. I am looking forward to using this site for all of my research papers this spring. It is a great organizational tool for people like myself that can't quite keep all of their different research papers separate and organized. I'll be interested to see just how much time I can save reviewing research that others have found. Ill keep you posted...

My MiniProject #1

Here is my first miniproject.