As the world becomes increasingly globalized thanks, at least in part, to the ubiquity of digital technology, scholars in discourse and new media must explore the possibility of learning and composition to expand pedagogical practices and opportunities. This project uses study abroad programs and education as a test case for establishing the…

Due to the constant migration of diverse populations, multicultural communities are developing across North America. As a result, multi-culturally diverse classrooms are multiplying (Allen et al., 2017). Our pre-service teachers must be multi-culturally prepared to enter diverse classrooms and effectively teach students without implicit bias…

This mixed methods study examined the development of Intercultural Knowledge and Competence (IKC) among American undergraduate students in various disciplinary courses using the Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) Virtual Exchange (VE) model in institutions of higher education in the U.S. in 2022. There is a gap in the literature…

Intercultural competence (IC) is essential for fostering meaningful interactions and understanding in diverse environments, particularly in today's pluralistic societies. The impacts of both intercultural competence and incompetence are profound, shaping relationships and outcomes in various ways. Many definitions of IC emphasize being 'effective'…

A key goal in World Language Education (WLE) is challenging learners' preconceived notions about other cultures, aligning with the leading intercultural competence models, national language teaching standards, and the emerging Transformative Language Learning and Teaching (TLLT) paradigm. However, challenging stereotypes remains a concern to…

Social studies teachers are consistently looking for new avenues to motivate learners. To facilitate this process, simulations and roleplaying have garnered considerable attention. However, game-based simulations have received little consideration in social studies classrooms. Through game-based simulations, teachers can create sophisticated…

The current study attempts to investigate the potential benefit of using a custom-designed virtual reality experience to reduce the social distance between the students and the speakers of the target language. This virtual reality experience provides opportunities for students to acclimate to the Spanish culture and at the same time practice and…

Opinion polls in multiple countries recount a grim story, that people from Western and Muslim-majority countries regard one another as arrogant, intolerant, and violent, and that attitudes are not improving. Student exchange programs, which were widely expanded after World War II and during the Cold War, have become a vital component of public…

The ever increasing popularity of virtual worlds, also known as 3-D multi-user virtual environments (MUVEs) or simply virtual worlds provides language instructors with a new tool they can exploit in their courses. For now, "Second Life" is one of the most popular MUVEs used for teaching and learning, and although "Second Life"…

Approximately one third of the population of Louisiana is African American. According to federal reports, Blacks in Louisiana receive a poorer quality of healthcare compared to the White population. Occupational therapy is a profession of predominately White, middle class females who report in surveys that they are not adequately prepared to…