Introduction
The term "exchange" means that a partner institution accepts a student, but does not necessarily mean that the students have to find a counterpart from the other institution with whom to exchange. Exchange students live with a host family or in a designated place such as a hostel, an apartment, or a student lodging. Costs for the program vary by to country and institution. Participants fund their participation via scholarships, loans, or self-funding.
A student exchange program is one in which students from secondary school or university study abroad at one of their institution's partner institutions. A student exchange program may involve international travel, but does not necessarily require the student to study outside of his or her home country.
Student exchanges became popular after World War II, and are intended to increase the participants' understanding and tolerance of other cultures, as well as improving their language skills and broadering their social horizons. Student exchanges also increased further after the end of the Cold War. An exchange student typically stays in the host country as long as the program he or she purchases allows them. International students or those on study abroad programs may stay in the host country for several years. Some exchange programs offer academic credit.
Task
For having a practical training in a native English speaking country, you are going to research about an Exchange English course, taking on account not only price but mainly educational and cultural aspects offered in this kind of courses for EFL students.
Process
In order to show the results of your research you will organize a presentation in class using any digital poster tool that you already know or a power point slide sequence. “Padlet.com” is a tool that we suggest in case you ‘d like to try a new digital poster tool.
In the list below you can find information about some Exchange English programs, but you can also look for other sources, according to your necessities.
http://www.wu.ac.at/io/incoming/courses/coursesinenglish/en/
http://www.cultural.org/esl/?gclid=CNHWguCPocQCFUY9gQod3GEAiA
Remember to point out educational and cultural aspects that, as a group, you consider important for your learning process.
Evaluation
Students will present their results not only in classroom but also in the school fair to other students and visitors.
The presentation will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
- Use of language leartned in class
- Accuracy
- Educational and cultural aspects emphasized in the presentation
- Creativity
Conclusion
Foreign exchange programs exist to provide practical training and employment and the sharing of history, culture, and traditions of the participants' home country. That’s why choosing one is something that must be done carefully
Not only price, but mainly educational aspects: subjects and other issues that are going to be explored during the course, schedule arrangements and also accomodations should be observed with all atention, as well as, cultural aspects: traditions, customs, celebrations and others, in order to exchange experiences among students that take part in this kind of programs.