Exploring the intersection of language and culture via telecollaboration: Utilizing videoconferencing for intercultural competence development

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis study qualitatively investigated students from a Mexican university and a U.S. university and how their intercultural competence (IC), the ability to appropriately and effectively communicate with others from countries and cultures other than one’s own, was affected by a five-week telecollaborative exchange. To examine the ways in which students in both second languages (L2s), Spanish and English, developed IC, the researchers deductively analyzed over six hours of Zoom video sessions of two participants (n = 2) according to a 15-category IC framework. Results revealed that the Communication Skills category was coded almost 72% more than the next-highest category of Cultural Self-Awareness/Understanding. These results suggested that SCMC-based telecollaboration is an effective vehicle for collaboration and in turn IC development. In addition, this study shows the value of integrating telecollaboration into L2 learning and teaching, as it gives learners an opportunity to explore the intersection of language and culture.