INCLUSION OF VIRTUAL EXCHANGE IN ESP UNIVERSITY CLASSES – STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS
Main Article Content
Abstract
The practice of virtual exchange in which students from different countries participate in an online collaboration as part of their coursework and jointly complete tasks and activities is becoming more dominant in higher education. Virtual exchange seems particularly convenient for English for Specific Purposes (ESP) as it incorporates two major aspects of this area of English language learning: collaboration on a course-specific and field-specific task or project and communication in English. The paper presents the results of a survey into students’ views and attitudes towards the inclusion of virtual exchange into ESP university courses. The overall findings point to a rather positive attitude of students towards this innovative pedagogy but at the same time reveal a number of factors that may jeopardize its successful implementation into ESP courses. The paper concludes with a number of pedagogical implications on how to prepare students for successful participation in virtual exchange activities.
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How to Cite
Vuković Vojnović, D. B., & Knežević, L. J. (2023). INCLUSION OF VIRTUAL EXCHANGE IN ESP UNIVERSITY CLASSES – STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS. Methodical Perspectives, 14(14-2), 143–160. https://doi.org/10.19090/mv.2023.14.143-160
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Section
НАСТАВА СТРАНИХ ЈЕЗИКА, КЊИЖЕВНОСТИ И КУЛТУРА
References
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Zak, A. (2021). An integrative review of literature: virtual exchange models, learning outcomes, and programmatic insights. Journal of Virtual Exchange 4: 62–79.
Zečević, S., Trkulja Milekić, Lj. (2022). Telecollaboration as an EFL environment in the global age. Zbornik radova Filozofskog fakulteta Univerziteta u Prištini 52: 55–74.
Byram, M. (1997). Teaching and Assessing Intercultural Communicative Competence. Bristol: Multilingual Matters.
Byram, M., Gribkova, B., Starkey, H. (2002). Developing the Intercultural Dimension in Language Teaching. A Practical Introduction for Teachers. Directorate of School, Out-of-School and Higher Education, DGIV, Council of Europe, Strasbourg.
Capdeferro, N., Romero, M. (2012). Are online learners frustrated with collaborative learning experiences? The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning 13 (2): 26–44.
Deardorff, D. (2009). The Sage Handbook of Intercultural Competence. London: Sage.
Dooly M., Vinagre, M. (2022). Research into Practice: Virtual Exchange in Language Teaching and Learning. Language Teaching 55: 392–406.
Dooly, M., O’Dowd, R. (2018). Telecollaboration in the Foreign Language Classroom: A Review of its Origins and its Application to Language Teaching Practice, in In this Together: Teachers’ Experiences with Transnational, Telecollaborative Language Learning Projects, ed. M. Dooly & R. O’Dowd (Bern: P. Lang): 11–35.
Dörnyei, Z. (2001). New Themes and Approaches in Second Language Motivation Research. Applied Review of Applied Linguistics 21: 43–59.
Dovrat, L. (2022). Systematic Literature Review on the Utilization of Theoretical Underpinnings in Virtual Exchange Research. Journal of Virtual Exchange 5: 193–212.
Ellis, R. (1994). The Study of Second Language Acquisition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
EVOLVE. (2020). What is Virtual Exchange? Accessed on 2 February 2023. URL:
Guglielmino, L. M. (2013). The Case for Promoting Self-directed Learning in Formal Educational Institutions. South African Education Journal 10 (2): 1–8.
Hyland, K. (2022). English for Specific Purposes: What is it and where is it taking us? ESP Today 10 (2): 202–220.
Knell, E., Chi, Y. (2012). The Roles of Motivation, Affective Attitudes, and Willingness to Communicate among Chinese Students in Early English Immersion Programs. International Education 41 (2): 66–87.
Knowles, M. S. (1975). Self-Directed Learning. A Guide for Learners and Teachers. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice Hall/Cambridge.
Lázár, I., Huber-Kriegler, M., Lussier, D., Matei, C.M., Peck, C. (2007). Developing and Assessing Intercultural Communicative Competence: A Guide for Language Teachers and Teacher Educators. European Centre for Modern Languages. Strasbourg: Council of Europe.
MacIntyre, P. D. (1995). How does anxiety affect second language learning? A reply to Sparks and Ganschow. The Modern Language Journal 79 (1): 90–99. Accessed on 25 February 2023 URL:
Martin, F., Stamper, B., Flowers, C. (2020). Examining Student Perception of Readiness for Online Learning: Importance and Confidence. Online Learning 24 (2): 38–58.
Mauranen, A. (2005). English as Lingua Franca: An Unknown Language? In Identity, Community, Discourse. English in Intercultural Settings, ed. G. Cortese & A. Duszak (Bern: Peter Lang): 269–293.
Meyer, M. (1991). Developing transcultural competence: Case studies of advanced language learners, in Mediating Languages and Cultures: Towards an Intercultural Theory of Foreign Language Education, ed. D. Buttjes & M. Byram (Clevedon, UK: Multilingual Matters): 136–158.
O’Dowd, R. (2018). From Telecollaboration to Virtual Exchange: State-of-the-Art and the Role of UNI Collaboration in Moving Forward. Journal of Virtual Exchange: 1–23. Accessed on 17 January 2023. URL: < https://doi.org/10.14705/rpnet.2018.jve.1>.
O’Dowd, R. (2021). What do Students Learn in Virtual Exchange? A Qualitative Content Analysis of Learning Outcomes across Multiple Exchanges. International Journal of Educational Research 109 (1): 101804.
Oxford, R.L., Ehrman, M. (1992). Second Language Research on Individual Differences. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics 13: 188–205.
Partnership for 21st Century Skills (2009). P21 framework definitions. Accessed on 2 December 2022. URL:
The EVALUATE Group. (2019). Evaluating the Impact of Virtual Exchange on Initial Teacher Education: A European Policy Experiment. Research-publishing.net. Accessed on February 09 2023. doi. org/10.14705/rpnet.2019.29.9782490057337.
Vinagre, M. (2017). Developing Teachers’ Telecollaborative Competences in Online Experiential Learning. System 64: 34–45.
Zak, A. (2021). An integrative review of literature: virtual exchange models, learning outcomes, and programmatic insights. Journal of Virtual Exchange 4: 62–79.
Zečević, S., Trkulja Milekić, Lj. (2022). Telecollaboration as an EFL environment in the global age. Zbornik radova Filozofskog fakulteta Univerziteta u Prištini 52: 55–74.