SUNY COIL Conference 2018

This presentation explores best practices for integrating Service Learning and COIL. In a semester-long research project, graduate students in a TESOL program of a US based university were paired with adult students from Afghanistan for virtual one on one English language tutoring sessions. Analysis of participants’ written reflections offers evidence that virtual interactions can lead to increased linguistic and intercultural competence besides the genuine connection. Grounded in examples from the graduate students’ and tutees’ experiences, the presenters will share lessons learned and suggestions for incorporating online teaching, as service learning, into any higher education courses.