Seventh International Conference on Immersion and Dual Language Education

Strand IV: Culture, Identity & Community

English and Brazilian Portuguese

All

Entre Culturas brings bilingual children into contact with students whose lives are different from their own, geographically, economically and linguistically. They correspond with a local school in their home language and a school abroad in their new language. The project begins at the start of the school year. Students become more confident and assertive as they find ways to represent themselves to their new pen pals. They develop empathy through listening and responding to others. Beyond their pen pals, their letters serve to help their classmates and their teachers get to know them better. They progress from handwritten letters to guided use of digital media to ensure effective and responsible communication. The result is greater command of linguistic concepts in both languages from an earlier point in the school year, as well as stronger relationships with their teachers, each other and their new friends. Having an authentic audience is essential to the success of this project.