Building Global Competence and Language Proficiency through Virtual Exchange

The goal of this short-form article is to provide an overview of the opportunities and benefits for faculty and students who are considering the implementation of Virtual Exchange (VE) learning experiences to globalize the curriculum and their classrooms. The essay describes the benefits of students developing global competence, improving proficiency, and increasing their levels of digital literacy and fluency. As consequences from the pandemic resulting from the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) have driven language courses to remote learning formats and as instructors become more comfortable with remote education technologies, it is the ideal time for instructors to explore new opportunities. VE allows for interactions across borders, authentic learning, and native speaker connections in classrooms. This essay compiles the growing number of resources to support faculty members in implementing VE and embarking on new and engaging classroom activities that will take them and their students beyond the classroom walls

Competence (human resources) · Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) · Curriculum · Fluency · Literacy · Mathematics education · Pedagogy · Computer Science · EFL/ESL Teaching and Learning · Psychology · Second Language Learning and Teaching