Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) for Multicultural Development: Pedagogical Strategies and Outcomes Միջազգային առցանց համագործակցային ուսուցումը (COIL) որպես բազմամշակութայնության զարգացման միջոց․ Ուսուցման ռազմավարություններ և արդյունքներ

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Published: Jun 30, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52919/translang.v24i01.1026
Keywords:
Cultural context, Hate speech, Inclusive societies, Multiculturalism, Virtual exchange

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Shushanik Paronyan
Yerevan State University
Anoush Ayunts
Yerevan State University

Abstract

In a globalized world, students require broader social and communicative skills. Foreign language teaching must thus incorporate sociocultural sensitivity and multiculturalism—a pedagogical approach fostering understanding, appreciation, and respect for cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity. It aims to enhance an inclusive environment where students can develop a global perspective and embrace diversity. One of the pedagogical strategies that encourages effective interaction between individuals from different cultures is Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL). This study examines the role of Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) in enhancing students’ multicultural awareness, with particular emphasis on mitigating cultural stereotyping and fostering sensitivity toward otherness. The research evaluates the effectiveness of COIL-facilitated multicultural learning through an analysis of a bilateral project between University College Utrecht and Yerevan State University. Employing a Project-Based Learning (PBL) approach, the project engaged students in analyzing cultural contexts marked by discrimination and hate speech. Through collaborative discourse, participants developed practical counterstrategies while demonstrating measurable growth in cultural competence. Quantitative data from post-project evaluations revealed that 97% of respondents rated the collaborative learning experience as highly successful, while 88% affirmed PBL’s efficacy as a pedagogical method. Notably, a significant majority reported heightened awareness of hate speech mitigation strategies. However, the study also identified three key implementation challenges: divergent academic expectations, uneven participant engagement, and technological literacy gaps among learners. Despite these limitations, the findings substantiate COIL’s potential to cultivate critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and intercultural empathy. The study concludes that scalable adoption of such initiatives can advance inclusive educational practices and contribute to societal equity through deliberate pedagogy of tolerance.

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How to Cite
Paronyan, S., & Ayunts, A. (2025). Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) for Multicultural Development: Pedagogical Strategies and Outcomes . Traduction Et Langues, 24(01), 60-76. https://doi.org/10.52919/translang.v24i01.1026
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Vol 24 No 01 (2025): Traduction et Langues Volume : 24 Issue : 01/ June 2025
Section
Articles
Author Biographies

Shushanik Paronyan, Yerevan State University

Shushanik Paronyan was born in Yerevan, the Republic of Armenia. She graduated from the Department of English Philology at Yerevan State University. She got her PhD degree in Philology from Sanct Petersburg University, Russia, in 1989, and her Doctor of Philology degree from Yerevan State University in 2010. She has been teaching English at Yerevan State University since she graduated. At present, she is Professor, Head of Chair of English for Cross-Cultural Communication at the Faculty of European Languages and Communication, Yerevan State University. She is author of about 60 publications - articles, textbooks and monographs among them, published in Armenia and abroad. She supervises BA, MA as well as PhD research papers. She is also editorial board member of several journals published at YSU. Her main areas of interest are cross-cultural pragmatics, culture studies, discourse analysis, cultural awareness and history of English.

Anoush Ayunts, Yerevan State University

Anoush Ayunts was born in Yerevan, Republic of Armenia. She graduated from the Department of English Philology at Yerevan State University. She got her PhD degree in Philology from Yerevan State University, Armenia, in 2013. She is PhD, Associate Professor at the Chair of English for Cross-cultural Communication of Yerevan State University. She has participated in a number of international conferences and workshops. Her scale of professional interests include Intercultural Communication, Cross-Cultural Competences, Virtual Exchange projects, Translation Studies. She has more than 26 years of professional experience and delivers different academic courses at YSU. She is author of about 30 publications - articles and textbooks among them, published in Armenia and abroad. She is a member of the World Council on Intercultural and Global Competence since September 2021.   

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