This mixed-method research examined the reasons, challenges, and use of online intercultural exchanges (OIEs) among Slovak English as foreign language (EFL) teachers in order to maximize the potential of OIEs for English language learning. The study collected data from an online survey, semi-structured interviews, and artifact analysis. The key findings of this study demonstrate that Slovak EFL teachers engage in OIEs to develop their learners’ intercultural competence and to collaborate with other European teachers despite the time-consuming nature of the OIEs. Based on the results of the study, effective OIE projects include clear task instructions, information-exchange, and collaborative tasks. In these projects, experienced teachers demonstrate flexibility, cultivate agency, and lead their English learners to create meaningful and engaging end-products. One recommendation is that the role of language be more explicit and intentional in order to leverage the linguistic potential of OIEs for English language instruction.
","abstract_html":"<p>This mixed-method research examined the reasons, challenges, and use of online intercultural exchanges (OIEs) among Slovak English as foreign language (EFL) teachers in order to maximize the potential of OIEs for English language learning. The study collected data from an online survey, semi-structured interviews, and artifact analysis. The key findings of this study demonstrate that Slovak EFL teachers engage in OIEs to develop their learners’ intercultural competence and to collaborate with other European teachers despite the time-consuming nature of the OIEs. Based on the results of the study, effective OIE projects include clear task instructions, information-exchange, and collaborative tasks. In these projects, experienced teachers demonstrate flexibility, cultivate agency, and lead their English learners to create meaningful and engaging end-products. One recommendation is that the role of language be more explicit and intentional in order to leverage the linguistic potential of OIEs for English language instruction.</p>","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Lehotska, Nikola"],"institution":null,"degree_name":"Master of Arts (MA)","degree_level":"Open Access Thesis","degree_discipline":"World Languages","degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":["Zuzana Tomaš, Ph.D.","Cynthia Macknish, Ed.D."],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2021,"date_issued":"2021-01-01T08:00:00Z","date_published":"2021-01-01T08:00:00Z","updated_at":"2026-07-24T02:17:40Z","subjects":["online intercultural exchanges","eTwinning","reasons","challenges","design"],"languages":[],"rights":[],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://commons.emich.edu/theses/1063","outbound_label":"Repository record","outbound_source":"dc:identifier"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor","label":"Contributor","values":["Zuzana Tomaš, Ph.D.","Cynthia Macknish, Ed.D."]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Lehotska, Nikola"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date.available","label":"Dc Date Available","values":["2021-06-16T07:00:00Z"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["World Languages"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["Open Access Thesis"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["Master of Arts (MA)"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["online intercultural exchanges","eTwinning","reasons","challenges","design"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["https://commons.emich.edu/theses/1063"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["This mixed-method research examined the reasons, challenges, and use of online intercultural exchanges (OIEs) among Slovak English as foreign language (EFL) teachers in order to maximize the potential of OIEs for English language learning. The study collected data from an online survey, semi-structured interviews, and artifact analysis. The key findings of this study demonstrate that Slovak EFL teachers engage in OIEs to develop their learners’ intercultural competence and to collaborate with other European teachers despite the time-consuming nature of the OIEs. Based on the results of the study, effective OIE projects include clear task instructions, information-exchange, and collaborative tasks. In these projects, experienced teachers demonstrate flexibility, cultivate agency, and lead their English learners to create meaningful and engaging end-products. One recommendation is that the role of language be more explicit and intentional in order to leverage the linguistic potential of OIEs for English language instruction.
"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["Effective design of online intercultural exchanges among successful EFL teachers in Slovakia"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor":["Zuzana Tomaš, Ph.D.","Cynthia Macknish, Ed.D."],"dc:creator":["Lehotska, Nikola"],"dc:date.available":["2021-06-16T07:00:00Z"],"dc:description.abstract":["This mixed-method research examined the reasons, challenges, and use of online intercultural exchanges (OIEs) among Slovak English as foreign language (EFL) teachers in order to maximize the potential of OIEs for English language learning. The study collected data from an online survey, semi-structured interviews, and artifact analysis. The key findings of this study demonstrate that Slovak EFL teachers engage in OIEs to develop their learners’ intercultural competence and to collaborate with other European teachers despite the time-consuming nature of the OIEs. Based on the results of the study, effective OIE projects include clear task instructions, information-exchange, and collaborative tasks. In these projects, experienced teachers demonstrate flexibility, cultivate agency, and lead their English learners to create meaningful and engaging end-products. One recommendation is that the role of language be more explicit and intentional in order to leverage the linguistic potential of OIEs for English language instruction.
"],"dc:identifier":["https://commons.emich.edu/theses/1063"],"dc:subject":["online intercultural exchanges","eTwinning","reasons","challenges","design"],"dc:title":["Effective design of online intercultural exchanges among successful EFL teachers in Slovakia"],"thesis:degree_discipline":["World Languages"],"thesis:degree_level":["Open Access Thesis"],"thesis:degree_name":["Master of Arts (MA)"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-24T02:17:40Z"}