Expanding Learning Spaces: Virtual Places of Learning in An Online Intercultural Exchange Project between the U.S.A. and Italy

Abstract

This article presents a telecollaboration project for the acquisition of a foreign language developed by Roberta Trapè, University of Melbourne and Francesca Calamita, University of Virginia (UVa). The project is part of the "Language Forward Initiative", a much broader initiative promoted by the Institute of World Languages ​​(UVa) to create immersive online programs that aim to expand the opportunities for male and female students studying a foreign language at the University of Virginia to interact with native speakers abroad. "Telecollaboration", "online intercultural exchange" or "virtual exchange" are definitions that are used to refer to intercultural meetings of learners who interact..