ESITP Cross-cultural Problem-Solving (Stage 4)

 

STAGE 4: KNOWLEDGE CONSTRUCTION: CROSS-CULTURAL PROBLEM-SOLVING

 

[ESITP 4]

[Knowledge construction: Cross-cultural scenarios]

English

[C1]

[120 mins]

Dates: Week 4
Deadline: End of Week 4
Goals: Cross-cultural scenario problem solving so as to develop tolerance of ambiguity, positive perceptions of different worldviews and approaches, awareness about cultural diversity, knowledge about the influence of cultural values on the use of metadiscourse strategies in promotional genres. Avoid linguistic transfer from the mother to the target language when writing in the L2/FL.    
DESCRIPTION OF TASKS:

 

  1. Problem-solving intercultural scenarios: Students will have to read their previous writings (English and Spanish) posted on the virtual platform and comment on the differences and similitudes they spot as regards metadiscourse strategies in both languages. 
 
   
  1. Second synchronous meeting: Meet with their telecollaboration partners at Google + Hangouts (home activity) in order to complete the problems found in their writings regarding the use of metadiscourse strategies and provide different perspectives and solutions to sort those problems out.
  2. Reflections about the 2nd synchronous meeting: Students will have to write their reflections about the 2nd synchronous meeting. They will particularly draw their attention to analyse and reflect whether the different or similar metadiscourse spotted in their writings may be due to either the influence of cultural values or the constraints imposed by the genre.
 
   
Summary of tasks:

 

1)   Students will read their writings based either on a leaflet or movie review.

2)   Students will spot the main differences in the use of metadiscourse strategies in their genres written in Spanish and English.

3)   Complete “Issues about telecollaboration” reflection forms.

 
   
Suggested assessment criteria:

Task completion

Language communication skills: Writing, Reading and Speaking

Structure of the solution, successful problem identification and description, explanations and suggestions for improving their writings in the L2/FL, particularly in the use of metadiscourse strategies.

 

Recommended tools: Google+, hangouts and Moodle

 

Resources: Students’ own writings