Learning Language And Culture Via Public Internet Discussion Forums

Public Internet Discussion Forums Offer Vast Possibilities For Interaction With Speakers Of Other Languages, With Newspaper Websites From Many Countries Proposing Forums On A Smorgasbord Of Topics From Travel To Tertiary Education To Techno Music. These Sites Provide Opportunities Both For Authentic Foreign Language Practice, And For Developing Intercultural Competence. Currently, However, Public Forums Are Largely Ignored By Language Educators In Favour Of Purpose-built Exchanges Between Learners. The Authors Investigate The Untapped Pedagogical Potential Of These Forums. Drawing On Examples From English- And French-language Media Websites, They Explore Cultural Differences In Public Forum Discussion, And Propose Guidelines For Participating Effectively And Maximising The Learning Opportunities. Case Studies Highlight The Skills Needed To Venture Beyond Learner-to-learner Interaction And Engage With Another Culture Autonomously, In Roles Other Than That Of Student. The Emphasis On Strategies For Successful And Culturally Sensitive Interaction In Authentic Contexts Makes The Book A Valuable Tool For Teachers And Learners Of Any Language. Introduction -- Part I. Cultural Differences Online -- Culture And Online Communication -- Debate Or Conversation? French And British Public Internet Discussion -- Plus ça Change ... : Are Online Cultural Differences Fading Over Time? -- Part Ii. Language Learners And Intercultural Internet Discussion -- Public Discussion Forums As A Tool For Language Learning -- A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum: Learners' Participation Strategies -- Face Off: Identity In Online Debate -- Towards Intercultural Discussion: Getting Off On The Right Foot(ing) -- Using Public Internet Forums To Develop French Argumentation Skills -- Forums For Learning: Language, Culture And Identity. Barbara E. Hanna, Juliana De Nooy. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 199-213) And Index.