Research main areas

1. Intercultural communicative competence in the foreign language classroom

Lead researcher: CLOUET, RICHARD

Summary: This research addresses the interrelationship of languages and cultures in the process of learning/teaching, as well as fields related to intercultural sensitivity and the understanding of other cultures in relation to one’s own. The fact that languages cannot be separated from their social and cultural contexts of use is widely recognized nowadays. In addition, for the last decade, intercultural language learning has been highlighted as a main objective of language acquisition, the term “intercultural” implying a back-and-forth movement across languages and cultures, a development of an understanding of one’s own language and culture in relation to a second one. This research includes three perspectives: a theoretical approach through a comprehensive review of the literature in the field of culture in language teaching, intercultural communication competence (ICC), and intercultural learning and teaching; the creation of material (especially in online environments); the elaboration of a framework for designing a curriculum for intercultural language learning and cultural mediation. The main objectives are: (1) to investigate the role of culture in the teaching of foreign languages and particularly the interrelationship of language and culture in the process of learning/teaching English as a foreign language in our increasingly multicultural societies; (2) to do a needs analysis with both students and teachers in the foreign language classroom; (3) to create online material that fosters self-study and the acquisition of ICC.  

 

2. Languages, ubiquitous knowledge and international communication

Lead researcher: GARCÍA SÁNCHEZ, SORAYA

Summary: This research deals with developing global knowledge acquisition and enhancing communicative 21st century communicative skills in the foreign or international language (English) through ubiquitous learning environments (ULE, u-learning) that occur anywhere and at any time. Using ubiquitous mobile devices (m-learning) and digital information that can be accessed inside and outside the classroom, a contextualized ULE is designed in order to respond to the real and professional needs of higher education students. U-learning is supported by the adequate use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Open Access resources (OA), collaborative learning, independent learning and the combination of formal and informal learning to allow lifelong learners to generate multimedia knowledge and debate, build and enhance their linguistic and communicative skills in the foreign language throughout their lives (u-learner). This approach pursues the adaptation of the university student to the changing context of a 21st century professional citizen.