This meeting was focused on cross-cultural communication and its significance for the LSP teaching and learning and the improvement of the skills leading to creating the eLearning course. The curriculum of the university includes content-based ESP courses in the first and second years of undergraduate studies which are integrated in the whole study process, stressing the interdisciplinary approach when preparing specialists for economics, business management, forestry, environmental studies, land administration, agriculture and other fields. The ESP study courses include acquisition of terms in the subject field, their use in professional and academic environment. They are also based on tailor-made tasks and the following web-enhanced language learning activities: web-search activities, web-quest activities; video lectures, use of e-dictionaries, interactive free ready-made sources for practice outside classrooms, podcasts, online reading materials. As regards the international experience, the Language Department has participated in several EU projects; the last project was Erasmus+ “Internationalization of Work-based Learning in Agribusiness Sector” which was completed in autumn of 2018. Also academic staff members have participated in Erasmus+ teaching mobility trips.
The following agenda was realized during the training event:
Day one: development of students’ cross-cultural competence: theory and practice
Session one – information about Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies. The video on Jelgava and the university created by the Latvian team was shown. Then there was an introduction to the topic of cross-cultural communication and the role of cross-cultural communication skills in the international working environment. The concept of the cross-cultural communication, importance of knowing the self and the other, development of critical awareness and respect to other cultures were explained. The cross-cultural issues, such as social etiquette and aspects included in the iceberg concept of culture were discussed followed by the interactive group activity of participants using the tool “linoit”.
Session two focused on cross-cultural theories described by Edward Hall and Geert Hofstede. The concepts of the context, space and time and their manifestation in different cultures were described. Further, practical examples of Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory were discussed which showed the effects of a society’s culture on the values of its members and how these values influenced the behaviour.
Session three dealt with practical examples and ideas of how to integrate texts, audio and video recordings, as well as visual information on intercultural competence and citizenship in ESP classes at higher educational institutions.
Day two: workshop: Promoting Youth Civic Engagement Through Foreign Language Studies
Session one explained the principles of project-based learning and how project-based learning could be used in foreign language studies to build the bridge between the educational environment and real- life situations.
Session two – debate with guests: one guest represented a non-governmental organisation of Zemgale region, the other one as a head of the local business incubator represented entrepreneurs. They shared their experience on civic engagement of youth in different projects, soft skills that are important for entrepreneurs in the labour market and what would they expect from graduates of universities.
Session tree presented teaching experience in intercultural environments from a sociological perspective, analysed the results of students’ feedback regarding the application of ICT tools, and how students from different cultures perceived the same information delivered during a lecture.
Day three: job shadowing, traineeship opportunities in agrobusiness companies – the study of the language competences searched for by the employers
Session one focused on social etiquette in diplomacy and intercultural contexts, language competences, such as the awareness of language register, phrases of politeness, the tone of voice in the communication in different situations among different cultures.
Session two – demonstrated how to deal with complicated and long texts during online teaching sessions by dividing students into groups and using the Canvas tool for preparing the answers. This session was designed to involve project participants in the group work activity which resulted in the presentation of the results prepared by each group.
Session three – instead of face-to-face job shadowing, the information about different local companies from agro-business and food industry which produce food products was delivered remotely. It was explained that students have their traineeships in some agro-business companies, and some companies have been established by the university’s graduates in cooperation with academic staff. The knowledge of foreign languages is important to be aware of the latest developments in the industry and to find out the latest news on cutting-edge innovations and research findings all over the world to create innovative products and produce healthy food based on new approaches.
As a result of this event, the recommendations concerning cross-cultural communication will be formulated to serve as the reference during the process of designing and producing the eLearning course. The recommendations will be included in the guidelines accompanying the eLearning course and will influence the content chosen to be present in the course materials.