Telecollaboration at university: intercultural perspectives to inclusion and teacher education

• Grant number: 23/01832-1
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: August 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Linguistics, Literature and Arts - Linguistics - Applied Linguistics
• Principal Investigator: Daniela Nogueira de Moraes Garcia
• Grantee: Daniela Nogueira de Moraes Garcia
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências e Letras (FCL-ASSIS). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Assis. Assis , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Giséle Manganelli Fernandes ; John H Shanahan ; Laura Wilkinson ; Paula Tavares Pinto ; Sandra Mari Kaneko Marques

Abstract

The present pedagogical scenario noticeably demands reflections as technologies access countries/languages and broaden perspectives. Virtual exchange/telecollaboration has enhanced contexts, internationalization, and intercultural experiences. Aiming at democratization in education, the Teletandem Brasil Project (TELLES, 2006- Proc. 2006/03204-2) pioneered tandem language learning. This proposal starts from teletandem to expand virtual exchange actions in English, connecting classes synchronous and asynchronously. Based on internationalization at home, we will organize partnerships, aiming to: (a) understand, systematize, and expand the virtual exchange in English language/literature classes; (b) combine formal classes with telecollaborative projects, (c) promote interculturality and teacher education, (d) generate expertise intelecollaboration in institutional contexts, (e) foster international connections. Seeking adherence to fundamental basic science and the 2030 Agenda concerning inclusive, equitable, and quality education and advancing towards teacher qualification and education through international cooperation, we propose the following questions: (1) What are the characteristics of institutionalized telecollaboration in English as a foreign language/lingua franca? (2) What are the teacher's roles in this context? (3) What is its impact on teacher education? This ethnographic qualitative research will focus on Brazilian students and researchers in telecollaboration. We will collect data in emails, WhatsApp messages, written reports, field notes, interviews, and questionnaires. We aim to produce knowledge and foster learning, autonomy, and intercultural competence, promoting interlocution, contributing to the inclusion and improvement of teaching, as well as shed light on a challenging path that impacts the humanities. (AU)