Susanne Wokusch, Rosanna Margonis-Pasinetti (HEP Vaud)
Despite the acknowledged benefit of language (and cultural) exchange at all school levels, the promotion of this instrument has had limited impact on exchanges actually conducted. The organisation and preparation of exchange and contact opportunities requires a considerable amount of extra work on the part of teachers; for them to consent to taking on such an effort, strong convictions and high motivation as well as institutional support are required.
The first part of the project focuses on better understanding how stays and experiences of exchanges or contacts contribute to the learners’ personal attitudes and positive perceptions of the languages taught. The second part of the project foresees the development of a large roster of exchange activities; the teachers (in training) then assess the activities in order to determine which forms of contact (or exchange) are of greatest interest.
Teaching materials developed during the project can be downloaded here: https://www.hepl.ch/accueil/formation/unites-enseignement-et-recherche/didactiques-langues-cultures/ressources-pedagogiques/sequences-echanges.html