eTwinning Ambassadors’ Perceptions about the Use of eTwinning as a Collaborative Platform to Improve English as a Foreign Language Skills
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Abstract
This qualitative study aims to explore the role of eTwinning ambassadors regarding the use of eTwinning to improve students’ English as a Foreign Language learning process. The main objective is thus to examine the advantages and drawbacks of using eTwinning in the educational practice related to English teaching from the point of view of eTwinning ambassadors. Although previous research has demonstrated the importance of telecollaboration and collaborative online international learning, research about eTwinning is still limited, especially regarding the perceptions of eTwinning ambassadors, educators responsible for disseminating eTwinning among compulsory education teachers. To collect data, semi-structured interviews were validated and used as the research instrument, and Spanish eTwinning ambassadors (n = 8) took part in it. To analyse the data obtained from the interviews, ATLAS.ti version 9 for Windows was employed. Findings show that using eTwinning in the classroom has more advantages than disadvantages according to ambassadors, being the main assets the internationalization of the teaching and learning process, given by the use of the foreign language in real and collaborative contexts with communicative purposes. This favourable aspect promotes the relationship between language and culture, which are inseparable aspects when teaching and learning a foreign language, and the creation of significant knowledge. Ultimately, this research intends to expand reflection and research about eTwinning and the changes in education to respond to the necessities of the citizens of tomorrow.
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References
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