During January and February, students in Mandy Black's Spanish 5 class participated in a unique virtual exchange program with young teachers in Colombia. This exchange was part of a program offered by "Lenguas Club," an educational business founded by Binghamton University professor Marisol Marcin.
The five-week program focused on topics of student interest and a comparison of the educational systems in the United States and Colombia. Two of the weeks included live Zoom video calls, where small groups of three to four students engaged in Spanish conversations with the Colombian teachers. During the other weeks, teachers and students interacted by sharing videos, audio recordings or written messages. To deepen their experience, students reflected on their learning by creating infographics comparing the educational systems of both countries and writing reflective essays at the program’s conclusion.
This experience was an enriching opportunity for both our Chenango Forks students and the Colombian teachers. The unique and interactive opportunity to connect was an experience that they both enjoyed, as they deepened their understanding of other's cultures, languages and perspectives.
