Overcoming Language Barriers Online: Fostering Community With Nonnative Speakers in a Massive Open Online Course

• In Event: 31.074 - Online Teaching and Learning SIG Paper Session 3

Abstract

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have learners from the entire world who do not speak English as their first language. This paper explores ways a MOOC team attempted to overcome this language barrier as they tried to create an effective MOOC community. To achieve these goals, the team translated the course into another language, actively promoted and rewarded peer collaboration, and used a culturally diverse team of Community Teaching Assistants (CTAs). Early findings suggest that these efforts indeed fostered a greater sense of online course community in the MOOC, as non-native enrollments soared and interactivity on the discussion board forums and peer assessments flourished.

Authors

• Bryan Arthur Mann, Pennsylvania State University

• Armend Tahirsylaj, The Pennsylvania State University

• Huihui Zhang, The Pennsylvania State University - University Park