Abstract:
The paper presents research results from a design-based research (DBR) study on a virtual exchange project (VEP) at two universities. Students of German as a Foreign Language in Auckland (New Zealand) and EFL Teacher Students in Leipzig collaborated working on the task of documenting, analyzing, and comparing the linguistic landscape in their respective cities. The focus in this paper will be on the potentials of VEPs for the development of students’ (critical) multilingual awareness. The reported results are based on the analysis of student products (multimedia posters, project presentations, reports), feedback questionnaires, and a focus group interview. Student teachers were able to participate in the project both as learners, as well as prospective teachers and this double focus, was supposed to lead to an increased awareness of the potentials and challenges of virtual exchanges. The results of the study point toward the suitability of using VEPs in teacher education to engage students in reflective practice on aspects of multilingual awareness.
