Reel Life Film as a tool for intercultural dialogue in the classroom and beyond

Eva Lambertsson Björk (1) , Jutta Eschenbach (2)
1. Østfold University College Faculty of Business, Languages and Social Sciences
2. Østfold University College Faculty of Business, Languages and Social Sciences

Abstract

We present a method to promote intercultural dialogue in the classroom. It builds on a carefully designed hypertext consisting of film fragments, linked together by one situation. While the fragments present identical situations, the protagonists in the films act differently depending on their value orientations. By presenting the students with fragments only, we trigger their imagination; they use their own cultural backgrounds to fill the gaps and make sense of the fragmented narratives. Our experiences from several universities in Europe show that the method works. The students fill the gaps in a number of ways, bringing in knowledge and also their own life narratives. In this way an intercultural dialogue is created. The method is easily adapted to fit also upper-secondary school.

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Authors

Eva Lambertsson Björk
(Primary Contact)
Jutta Eschenbach
Author Biographies

Eva Lambertsson Björk

associate professors at Østfold University College, Norway. His current research involves intercultural communication and intercultural learning, including teaching practices in this field at all school levels. His method Reel Life has been presented in several countries in Europe, South-Africa, Taiwan and the USA.

Jutta Eschenbach

Associate professors at Østfold University College, Norway. His current research involves intercultural communication and intercultural learning, including teaching practices in this field at all school levels. His method Reel Life has been presented in several countries in Europe, South-Africa, Taiwan and the USA.

Björk, E. L., & Eschenbach, J. (2014). Reel Life Film as a tool for intercultural dialogue in the classroom and beyond. Journal of Intercultural Communication, 14(3), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.36923/jicc.v14i3.680

Article Details

How to Cite

Björk, E. L., & Eschenbach, J. (2014). Reel Life Film as a tool for intercultural dialogue in the classroom and beyond. Journal of Intercultural Communication, 14(3), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.36923/jicc.v14i3.680

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