Learning foreign languages in teletandem: Resources and strategies

Abstract

Teletandem is a virtual, collaborative, and autonomous context in whichtwo speakers of different languages use the text, voice, and webcamimage resources of VOIP technology (Skype) to help each other learntheir native language (or language of profi ciency). This paper focuseson learners’ studying processes and their responses to teletandem. Wecollected quantitative and qualitative data from 134 university studentsthrough an online questionnaire. Results show the content of students’learning processes, resources, activities, and strategies. We conclude witha critical discussion of the results and raise pedagogical implications forthe use o-f teletandem as a mode of online intercultural contact to learnforeign languages.