In today’s interconnected world, intercultural communication is an essential skill for building empathy, understanding, and global awareness. At ENGin, we’re dedicated to more than just language exchange; we’re committed to fostering connections that last a lifetime. By connecting students from Ukraine with English-speaking volunteers worldwide, we create meaningful interactions that transcend borders. But how to boost intercultural exchange, build bridges between students and volunteers, and bring ENGin`s mission to life?
Creating an “Intercultural Exchange” Segment in Sessions
Encourage your students to spend a few minutes sharing unique aspects of their backgrounds. This might include anything from favorite holidays to regional foods, social customs, or personal values. To facilitate these conversations, try to use these options as background for sessions:
Talk about holidays that are meaningful to you and why, and ask your student about it.
Share some unspoken social rules where you live.
Share an untranslatable phrase or idiom from your language, and make intercultural exchange tinier.
This approach could allow both students and volunteers to go beyond language learning, connecting on a personal level and gaining a broader perspective of each other’s cultures.
Curate Monthly Cultural Themes
Using monthly cultural themes adds structure and excitement to your sessions! This approach makes intercultural exchanges more engaging for everyone involved. Each month, you could highlight a new topic, offering a fun framework for learning. Examples of monthly themes include:
Cuisine: share recipes, discuss traditional dishes, or even cook together over video.
Music and Art: share favorite songs, exchange playlists, or introduce local artists that reflect your culture.
Folklore and Literature: exchange stories or recommend culturally significant books or tales.
Monthly themes can create shared experiences that add depth to each session, allowing both students and volunteers to immerse themselves in different cultures.
In the "Session Material" tab on the ENGin Platform, you’ll find a special edition of materials each month. Use these resources to share how different holidays are celebrated in your countries and exchange cultural experiences.
Implement Online Photo or Video Online Tours
Encourage students to capture photos or short videos of their favorite local spots to share during sessions, and you, as a volunteer, can do the same!
Imagine taking your conversation partner on a virtual tour of your world: a cozy coffee shop, a historic landmark, or a hidden gem of architecture unique to your hometown. By sharing these snapshots, you’re not only showing the beauty and culture of your community but also inviting them to do the same. These personal glimpses make each session richer, helping both you and your student build a stronger intercultural bond and gain a true perspective on each other’s lives.
So why does Intercultural Exchange Matter at ENGin?
At ENGin, we understand that every conversation is an opportunity to bridge cultural gaps, build empathy, and foster a community grounded in mutual respect—all while helping each student grow their English language skills. By actively promoting intercultural exchange, we make language learning a richer experience that goes beyond vocabulary. So let’s keep building these bridges, one conversation at a time.
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