E-tandem

By Shawna Cyr IE Teacher, École St-Jean, CSSCS Master's student, Université Laval

SPEAQ Friday November 10th 2023

E-tandem: a look into virtual language learning that is more than just a pen pal

Corrective feedback

What is E-tandem?

Cultural Exchange

Step-by-step

Examples

Tandem Journal

Platforms

Benefits

Today's Agenda

Appreciation

What is E-tandem?

Tandem language learning is authentic communication with a native speaker who supports and corrects the second language learning of their tandem partner (Little and Brammerts, 1996).

Fundamentals Reciprocity Autonomy Bilingualism

E-tandem

Benefits

• Authentic communication
• Motivation

• Technology
• Peers their age
• Expert
• Differentiation
• Autonomy
• Cultural experience

• Metalinguistics
• Interdisciplinary approach
• Programme de formation de l'école québécoise

Why Choose E-tandem?

Cycle Two and Three

PFEQ - Primary

Cycle Two Core and Enriched Programs

Cycle One Core and Enriched Programs

PFEQ - Secondary

Platforms

Tandem Canada

Epals

Padlet

Flip

+ : prototype that offers forum, chat and video conference- : not so user-friendly for younger students

+ : platform for finding teacher partners and easy to use for sending email messages- : finding a serious partner can take time

+ : Creative boards for sending letters, pictures and videos- : maximum of 3 boards if not subscribed

+ : easy to use for sending videos - : Video only

Examples

Flip

Flip

Padlet

Teacher Profile

Epals

Finding a partner

Epals

Collaboration

Epals

Messages

Epals

Examples of written messages

Epals

Université Laval Prototype

Tandem Canada

Getting Started

Tandem Canada

Explore the platform

Tandem Canada

Explore the platform - Video conference

Tandem Canada

Explore the platform - Wiki

Tandem Canada

Explore the platform - Forum

Tandem Canada

Create a Forum

Tandem Canada

Create a Forum

Tandem Canada

Guess Who Chat Activity

Guess Who Chat Activity

Tandem Journal

Note-taking

Plan

Corrective feedback

• Students choose up to 3 errors that affect comprehension
• Reformulation: You said "x" but in English we say "y". Grammar rules are not necessary!
• Positive motivational comments: "Bravo, je te félicite pour tes efforts en français!"

Corrective Feedback

Corrective feedback offered to Anglophone partner

Corrective feedback offered to Anglophone partner

Corrective feedback received from Anglophone partner

Corrective feedback received from Anglophone partner

Cultural Exchange

Mind Map Group Activity

Québecois Word Cloud

Australian Word Cloud

Christmas package exchange

Step-by-step

1. Find a teacher partner (Epals) 2. In collaboration with your teacher partner:

• Choose a platform that meets your needs and objectives
• Set up a calendar of themes, frequency and deadlines
• Pair up the students according to interests, gender, proficiency level

3. Get familiar with the platform (before class and with students)4. Choose/create the task5. Task in class

• Tandem Journal (note taking, preparation, corrections)
• 3 corrective feedback ( You said "x" but in French we say "y". )
• Reinvestment task of your choice

6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 as many rounds as you desire by alternating languages

Simple Set Up Instructions

Calendar Example using Tandem Canada

• September: Introduction Message (Bilingual round : each partner offers corrective feedback )
• Francophones: written message in their L2 (English)
• Anglophones: written message in their L2 (French)

• October: Décris ta famille (French round)
• Francophones: written message in French + offer corrective feedback to their partner
• Anglophones: video message in French
• December: My Christmas Holiday (English round)
• Francophones: video message in English
• Anglophones: student choice (written/audio/video message in English) + offer corrective feedback to their partner
• January: Passe-temps préférés (French round)
• Student choice (written/audio/video message in French) for both groups + Francophone students offer corrective feedback
• Guess Who/Devine Qui (Bilingual round : each partner offers corrective feedback during the chat session)
• 30 minute chat conversation in French and English

Appreciation

" C'est cool de voir leur évolution en français! "

" On aime recevoir du feedback sur notre anglais! "

" Écrire et lire une lettre, c'est plus facile que communiquer oralement et c'est moins gênant. "

" We find it nice to have a friend in a different country and we love receiving compliments from your students! "

" Exchanging letters is both a reading and writing exercise for us. "

" We like the fact that we could write both in French and in English. Writing in English is less challenging. So, this kind of gives us a break from time to time. "

" On a beaucoup appris sur des choses en général et des mots de vocabulaire en anglais. "

" We think that your students are cool and awesome. We liked the experience! "

Francophone students

Anglophone students

Contact info: shawna.cyr@csscotesud.gouv.qc.ca

Questions?