The complexity surrounding the design of collaborative pedagogical scenarios can allow foreign language learners to develop intercultural and linguistic skills; however, careful consideration must be given when conceptualising telecollaborative projects. Many research studies have been conducted which led to significant discoveries, but only few studies examine the intricacies of developing pedagogical scenarios for online multimodal interaction and the outcomes of these complexities. This paper reports on a Franco-Jamaican telecollaborative project, ClerKing, which took place in two phases between Applied Foreign Languages (AFL) students of English from University Clermont Auvergne (UCA), France, and Modern Languages students of French from Shortwood Teachers’ College (STC), Jamaica. Each phase had a different pedagogical scenario, with the first being restricted and the second being more open. Using the exploratory method, various parameters of online pedagogical scenarios were identified and examined with varying degrees of granularity. Preliminary findings show that a less restricted and more flexible pedagogical scenario allowed for students to develop language and intercultural competencies, while strengthening negotiation skills.
Mobile Instant Messaging (MIM) has become very trendy in the field of language learning; however, while there are many studies that include WhatsApp, used here to connect cultures and/or widen participation, very few articulate how students view it or its impact in acquiring and developing linguistic, cultural, and intercultural competencies. This paper reports on ClerKing, a Franco-Jamaican telecollaborative project, which occurred in two phases between Applied Foreign Languages (AFL) students from University Clermont Auvergne (UCA), France, and Modern Languages students of French from Shortwood Teachers’ College (STC), Jamaica. WhatsApp was used in both phases. Using the exploratory approach, this study seeks to provide insight into students’ perception of the use of WhatsApp in the project, as well as possible moments of knowledge acquisition. Preliminary findings show that WhatsApp is considered to be practical, popular, and preferable. Students acquired knowledge about religion and homosexuality, improved on expressions, and strengthened their grammar.
Globalisation amplifies the need to improve Intercultural Communicative Competences (ICC). However, telecollaborative cross-cultural communication may be affected by different factors such as morals, values, and differences in viewpoints, as observed in numerous European and North American projects. Still, there is a dearth of experiments from the Anglophone Caribbean’s stance. Therefore, this paper seeks to highlight how religious ideologies affect international communication in ClerKing – a Franco-Jamaican telecollaborative project that occurred in different phases over a three-year period with learners of English from Clermont Auvergne University (UCA) and learners of French from Shortwood Teachers’ College (STC) and the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona. Using the exploratory approach, pre- and post-project questionnaires, learning and reflective journals, and different multimodal exchanges were analysed. Preliminary findings suggest that religion was a major theme highlighted in all phases of the project, leading to challenged communication and somewhat negative perception of the target culture.
Living in the 21st century means living in an era that is increasingly globalising where cross-cultural communication is essential; thus, students should be given opportunities to cultivate their Intercultural Communicative Competences (ICC). This paper reports on Phase 3 of ClerKing, a Franco-Jamaican telecollaborative project, which involved Applied Foreign Languages (AFL) students of English from Clermont Auvergne University (UCA), France, and students of French from the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, Jamaica. WhatsApp and videoconferencing were used to facilitate the interactions. Using the exploratory approach, we seek to identify different parameters of ICC, relying on Byram’s (1997) and Deardorff’s (2006) models. Preliminary findings show that students demonstrated and developed ICC such as openness and curiosity, culture-specific knowledge, an understanding of worldviews, sociolinguistic awareness, flexibility and adaptability, and negotiation of meaning. However, time difference, personal and academic schedules, connectivity issues, and misjudged/misinterpreted communication can lead to intercultural conflict.
Gamification is a method used to engage and motivate students virtually during the coronavirus pandemic. This paper reports on the use of Kahoot! as a review tool in French as a foreign language (L2) classes at Northern Caribbean University (NCU), Jamaica, as a means of formative assessment. Using the exploratory approach, it seeks to highlight students’ perceptions of this platform to enhance teaching and learning. Twenty-one students of both genders between the ages of 18 and 35 responded to a post questionnaire, after participating in two or more games of Kahoot!. Data was also collected through semi-structured interviews and observations recorded by the instructor. Preliminary findings show that Kahoot! helps most students (95%) to improve their French, in terms of learning and/or reinforcing new vocabulary or previously taught concepts, as well as pronunciation. All the participants highlighted that Kahoot! is fun and interactive, and playing the game serves as a motivation for them to revise their already acquired knowledge. However, the countdown feature can provoke stress and affect the thought process.
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