Superchiens: a collaborative experience in a classroom of French as a Foreign Language

Abstract

This work presents a collaborative experiment on the theme of volunteering, carried out with two classes of Applied Foreign Languages students at Universidade Católica, Lisbon. The qualitative research is based on advances in cognitive science, which have highlighted the role of emotions in learning, particularly through the 'motivation' lever. The theory of cooperative learning is also called upon, making interactions a factor in collective progress. In this context, the study aimed to observe the effect of the collaborative project on the students' language and extra-language skills. Several digital tools were used: Framapad for organising and monitoring the project, WordPress for the "Les Superchiens" website, Facebook and Instagram. Data was collected by means of a questionnaire filled in by the students at the end of the activity, and the responses were analysed using content analysis techniques. According to the results, the project strengthened communication between students and developed their language skills as well as certain extra-language skills (autonomy, self-confidence, listening to others). It also encouraged the development of technical skills (editing and subtitling a video, creating a logo, a website), which are increasingly necessary for entering the job market.