Tell me and I will forget, show me and I will understand, involve me and I will remember. (Confucius)

We live in a multilingual society in a world characterised by greater mobility and interaction across national borders. Consequently, developing cross-cultural communicative competencies is increasingly important for mutual understanding.

As World Language Teachers, we are constantly trying to focus on finding real life activities in order to create a communication-based and standards-driven curriculum for our students. CIS language classes aim to equip students with 21st century (communication) skills, by teaching them how to most effectively utilise the various technology platforms that are available to them. It is equally essential to offer greater opportunities for engaging students, working in collaborative teams, fostering critical thinking skills, and managing precious time and resources.

With this in mind, we implemented a project-based learning methodology as a way of bringing it all together. Projects provide opportunities for students to engage in real life communication, in context, with real people, and across the globe. As these projects were shared and read by our partner schools around the world, students were excited to exchange opinions and feedback from their pen friends who reside at a far-off corner of the world.

Communicating in French was the key focus. We used different tools and platforms in order to speak and write in French, and connect with other students globally. Exchange of correspondence and videos, creation of our own classes magazines, Edmodo exchanges, Skype Mystère, Twictée, Webémission… to name a few, are some of the platforms and projects done in class. We are currently working with schools in Canada, France, Belgium, Tunisia, Switzerland, Morocco, United States, and Senegal.

What we do at CIS is being noticed. In March, some grade 8 students participated in a “webémission”: a Skype video conference with our partner school in Canada. This videoconference was recorded and included in a web programme organised by the Ministry of Education of Ontario, Canada to illustrate intercultural understanding and exchange when learning a language. The visual element in the Skype call allowed spontaneity in responses and interactions among students.

• MAGAZINES

Students created magazines where they elaborated articles related to current affairs or their own areas of interest. In some classes they decided to produce a special edition on Chinese New Year with the aim of sharing Singapore’s culture and traditions with their partner schools around the world. It was a rewarding experience for students as they could relate their French learning to their own interests and preferences. They communicated using their language skills in a challenging project that was shared with the rest of the CIS community.

Some of our recently published magazines:

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• SKYPE MYSTERE

The concept is simple: Classes Skype call each other and try to guess where the other classroom is located either in the United States or in the world. On the day of the call, students use their resources in trying to figure where the other class is calling from via Skype”.

Due to the huge time difference with Europe and North America, our students filmed themselves giving clues about Singapore so that the recipients of the video (students at the distant school) could guess where CIS class was.

• TWICTEE

Twictée is the contraction of twitter and dictée (dictation in French). Advanced students in Grade 6 have embarked on this worldwide project this year. It is basically an online dictation in which students from different francophone parts of the world participate and learn collaboratively on Twitter. You can find more information on here in French.

At the moment, CIS is the only school in Asia taking part in this project. The founder of twictée was so excited about having us among his community that he decided to pair us up with his students. You can follow our class on @CIS_mmeSevilla.

• PEN PALS and ORAL EXCHANGES

Our classes communicate with other schools around the world using handwritten letters, videos and emails. Whilst we enjoy the advantages of aspects of technology, there is also something magical about getting a handwritten letter. It seems so much more personal and at times not as contrived as some carefully worded emails.

• COMPETITION DE DICTEE AU SOMMET DE LA FRANCOPHONIE

Advanced students in Grade 6 participated in the "Competition de Dictee" in Dakar (Senegal) on 26 November. This international dictation competition was organised by Fondation Paul Gérin-Lajoie as part of the XVe Sommet de la Francophonie.