A1 Journal article (refereed)
“Our group was by far the coolest” : Multimodal team-building practices and English as a lingua franca in a virtual intercultural game (2024)

Mendes de Oliveira, M., Räisänen, T., & Oittinen, T. (2024). “Our group was by far the coolest” : Multimodal team-building practices and English as a lingua franca in a virtual intercultural game. Pragmatics and Society, Early online. https://doi.org/10.1075/ps.23025.men

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Mendes de Oliveira, Milene; Räisänen, Tiina; Oittinen, Tuire

Journal or series: Pragmatics and Society

ISSN: 1878-9714

eISSN: 1878-9722

Publication year: 2024

Publication date: 17/10/2024

Volume: Early online

Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing Company

Publication country: Netherlands

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1075/ps.23025.men

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/97568

Abstract

Virtual collaborations via video-conferencing applications may enable international groups to develop ideas and explore synergies in creative ways. This article presents a case study that unveils how students in a group involved in a virtual simulation game, in which English as a lingua franca was used, navigate a highly intercultural environment, orient to team building through cooperative practices, and gradually develop their own team culture. The game was inserted in two online university courses in tertiary institutions in Germany and Finland. In the game, students performed several tasks that require collaborative work in the development plan of a fictitious city. The data for the study comprise video-recorded game interactions and students’ learning journal entries. This article is centered on the multimodal analysis of the interactions taking place during the kick-off session of the game and showcases successful multimodal strategies that aided the development of an inclusive and positive atmosphere in the group.

Keywords: lingua franca; interculturalism; video conferences

Free keywords: English as a lingua franca; transient international groups; team culture; intercultural game; affiliation; video conference

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2024

Preliminary JUFO rating: 2