International network influence on students’ linguistic and cultural competence

Résumé

This study explores the impact of a class project based on online interaction with a native pen friend. The purpose of the study was to analyze the relationship between the Colombian and the foreigner participants, and to investigate how students were able to establish a relationship with a native speaker and improve their linguistic and cultural knowledge through this interaction. In addition, the impact of the class project was evaluated taking into account the partnership interaction, cultural aspects, and the use of ICT´s. The project aimed at answering the question: how does the relationship with a pen-friend influence the creation of knowledge of an individual? The research design adopted is a case study defined by Yin (1984:23) as “an empirical inquiry that investigates a contemporary phenomenon (the ‘case’) in depth and within its real-world context”. The sample was selected by using the random sampling technique and fifteen participants took part in the study on a voluntary basis. A questionnaire with open-ended and closed questions and a focus group were proposed as part of the data collection instruments in order to get participants’ perceptions about the topic under study. The findings reveal that developing an international network fosters the acquisition of knowledge related to culture and the language both vital for language students.