International Journal of Linguistics & Communication

Teaching with Technology: The Place of EFL in Virtual Classrooms
Maliha Khadidja Meziane, Samia Sari-Mitchel

Abstract
The debate over teaching as a science or an art is still open, but in all the cases, it is always up to the teacher to fix the priorities within the classroom. In this sense, teachers are rather seen as facilitators and adapters at the service of students (Rogers, 2003). Additionally, teaching nowadays is evolving not because of a “different brand new methodology” or teaching approach, but because of the socioenvironment of the classroom that has definitely changed with the integration of technology. In order to bridge the gap between digital native students and teachers as digital immigrants, this paper tries to shed light on an interesting virtual experience called “Global Understanding” established for a cultural exchange purpose between the university of Tlemcen in Algeria and three international countries, United States, India and China. A description of how this virtual classroom was tailored is highlighted with results related to students’ expectations towards EFL before and after the end of the program.

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