ENGLISH FOR JOURNALISM: REFLECTIONS ON AN INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIVE PROJECT

Abstract

This study focusses on a telecollaboration (virtual exchange) writing/reviewing-editing project, conducted within the framework of the Trans-Atlantic and Pacific Project (TAPP), an academic network linking university classes in workplace-like environments.  The project aimed to finetune the language and professional skills and, also, to enhance the intercultural awareness of two classes of university students of journalism in France and Greece, who attended an English for Specific Purposes (ESP) course in their respective institutions. The tasks included writing news articles in English by students in France who produced a magazine on the legacy of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, followed by editing of those articles by students in Greece who reviewed them for an international readership. Both groups of students collaborated online through Google Drive. The benefits of the project included the improvement of writing, reviewing and editing skills, the development of language and intercultural awareness, and the production of real-life pieces of work that the professional community expects (i.e. in the case of journalism students, writing and reviewing news stories). Collaborative projects lead students to various linguistic and intercultural gains and can be used as a tool to promote realistic international professional communication by effectively preparing them for workplace collaborations of this type. Furthermore, telecollaboration/virtual exchange can promote Internationalisation at Home, which is highlighted in EU higher education policies.