What are some examples of interactions with locals during study abroad?
The degree of interaction with locals you can offer students during study abroad ranges from superficial to in-depth.
Superficial interactions
When planning superficial interactions, you provide students with the necessary grammar, vocabulary, cultural knowledge, and specific project-related skills and then take them to a public place where they are required to perform a task (see Figure 1).
For example, in addition to teaching students the required vocabulary and question forms, you can teach them how to politely approach strangers in the host country and how to film interviews. The students apply these skills to conduct a vox pop on a university campus about local nightlife options.
In-depth interactions
For in-depth interactions, you must plan activities that allow students to have sustained, meaningful interactions with locals over an extended period (see Figure 1). These interactions are similar to superficial ones in that you provide students with the necessary linguistic, cultural, and project-related skills to successfully engage with locals. In addition, you teach students to engage in spontaneous, unplanned conversations with locals over several days or weeks in order to complete the project.
For example, you may prepare students to organize after-school activities for pupils at a local elementary school. In addition to using the target language, students have to plan and implement age-appropriate activities for younger children.
Examples of interactions with locals, ranging from superficial to in-depth:
Guided tours (e.g., of museums, neighbourhoods)
Survey projects (e.g., surveys, questionnaires, vox pops)
Games (e.g., treasure hunts, quiz nights, karaoke
Expert interviews with locals in the host country (e.g., set up an interview with a journalist)
Internship, homestay, service learning
Bilateral exchange (an exchange program where students stay with locals and also host the locals in their own homes)