Abstract:

International language education via tele-collaboration can contribute to the creation of a more equitable, respectful and just society. In the first part of my presentation, taking my cue from the insight of such diverse thinkers as Mikhail Bakhtin, Zygmunt Bauman and Robert O’Dowd, I will suggest that tele-collaboration can meet one of the biggest challenges of our time: the exercise of the rules of mutual hospitality. In this educational context, the willingness to acknowledge cultural strength and uniqueness of each participant goes in tandem with openness to the creation of the supranational community of learners. I will further propose that online intercultural exchange, facilitated by instructors who see themselves as life-long learners can become a manifestation of the liberating power of collaboratively created knowledge in any setting. In the second part of my paper, I will discuss the collaboration between the State University of New York, Empire State College (USA) and Tecnológico de Monterrey (Mexico) in the co-developing and co-teaching of Advanced Spanish/English: Language and Culture. Particular attention will be given to the analysis of students’ engagement with such topics as immigration, commercialization of culture and ethical dilemmas as productive points of departure for exploration of the challenges and rewards of life in the intercultural society.

Keywords:

International, language learning, tele-collaboration, intercultural society.