LAUSR

Abstract In content and language integrated learning (CLIL) contexts, online communication technologies have great potential for supporting the development of students’ foreign language skills and intercultural competence, and for increasing understanding of subject matter. One effective way of engaging CLIL students in motivating and innovative online learning is virtual exchange, or telecollaboration. Virtual exchange involves engaging students in online task-based interaction and collaborative exchange projects with partner-classes in other locations under the guidance of their teachers. This article explores in what ways virtual exchange can contribute to CLIL approaches and presents various examples from the literature of how this approach to online learning has been applied in CLIL contexts. Following that, some guidelines for good practice are presented which educators can consider when planning to introduce virtual exchange into their bilingual classrooms.