Virtual Peer Dialogue: Intercultural Praxis for Language Teachers
Presentation Summary
We report on research examining a virtual exchange for pre-service English language teachers from two countries. Our presentation underscores the potential of virtual exchange as spaces to enrich students’ perspective-taking and captures the process of deepening awareness of positionalities and cultural identities as well as relationship building.
Primary Presenter
Elizabeth Smolcic, The Pennsylvania State University
State (if in the U.S.)
PA
Country
United States
Professional Biography
Elizabeth prepares teachers to work with multilingual learners in K-12 contexts. Her research explores teacher development about English language learning, as well teacher interculturality, sociopolitical consciousness and building teacher identities and commitment to work towards equity in schools.
Secondary Presenters
Magdalena Madany-Saa, Penn State University
State (if in the U.S.)
Pennsylvania
Country
US
Professional Biography
Magdalena has worked as an English teacher educator in Ecuador, Poland and the US for over 25 years. Nowadays she is based in State College, Pennsylvania. She is a PhD candidate and TESL instructor in the College of Education at the Pennsylvania State University. Magdalena’s research interests are: language policy, translanguaging and decolonial pedagogy.
Daniela Martin, The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) Brandywine
State (if in the U.S.)
Pennsylvania
Country
US
Professional Biography
Daniela has studied identity development across contexts of multicultural and ESL education, including study abroad, to develop and articulate pedagogical principles that support diverse students and promote global equity.
Diego Cajas, National University of Education UNAE - Ecuador
State (if in the U.S.)
Country
Ecuador
Professional Biography
Diego has been teaching English as a Foreign Language for more than 18 years, most of this time in higher education. He has also worked in preservice education programs. His research interest revolves around language policy and curriculum innovation