DE ESTUDIANTES DE ESPAÑOL A HABLANTES INTERCULTURALES MEDIANTE EL APRENDIZAJE BASADO EN PROYECTOS. BECOMING AN INTERCULTURAL SPEAKER IN SPANISH BY MEANS OF PROJECT BASED LEARNING

Abstract

Taking as a starting point the dimension of Spanish as a foreign language learners as intercultural speakers [Instituto Cervantes 2006], we will insert this concept into the general framework for foreign language teaching [Byram and Zarate 1997; Byram 2009] and present project-based learning as an effective methodological approach for learners to become mediators between their own culture and the target culture. A proper implementation of PBL in SFL classes (as well as in those where subjects are taught by using SFL as a lingua franca) will generate real communicative needs that will allow students to acquire and consolidate knowledge in a motivating and significant context. In the last part of the article we will illustrate the project- based learning theory by providing recent examples of its implementation which have contributed to train SFL students to become intercultural speakers.