Designing Programs for Developing Intercultural Language Learning

Abstract

Phase one of the Intercultural Language Teaching and Learning in Practice (ILTLP) Project involved language teachers from across Australia gathering in Adelaide for a two-day national workshop, presented by the project team, in which current key ideas and understanding of intercultural language learning were explored. Following the workshop, teacher participants, supported by one or more members of the project team, developed either a unit of work or a long-term program for intercultural language learning. Teacher participants and project team members communicated through face-to-face meetings and an extensive feedback process via e-mail and other written exchanges. Written and tape-recorded feedback from the project team to teacher participants was collected, reviewed, and analysed in an attempt to capture what is involved in the process of programming for intercultural language learning. Findings from this process provide insights into developing programs for intercultural language learning and will be of interest to and have relevance for language teachers in Australian schools involved in implementing an intercultural orientation into their teaching, as well as for those considering such an orientation. [Author abstract]