CONNECT
Intercultural Communication
We are CONNECT, a network of teachers whose goal is to bring together students from across the world to share experiences and learn global citizenship.
ABOUT
The CONNECT project aims to connect students and teachers of English from higher education institutions across the world so that they can actively engage in meaningful conversations, meet new people and learn about the world, while practicing real-world language and technology skills. Student groups have live meet-ups, share daily pictures, group chats and videos about unique elements from their cultures and lives. This exciting project helps develop students' motivation, confidence, empathy, intercultural awareness and digital literacy, and, above all, it's fun for all those involved!
All Videos
THE CONNECT LCT VISION
CONNECT brings people together. We leverage the power of technology to create meaningful international virtual exchanges for students who would normally never have the opportunity to interact with each other.
We design research-based interactions for students regardless of age, gender, race, or religion to enable them to expand their cultural horizons, gain valuable communication skills, and learn global citizenship.
We work to create projects that are engaging and inspiring, that encourage participation and growth, and that provide a memorable learning experience for everyone involved.
We believe that positive interactions with people from different cultures improves motivation, develops confidence, and fosters empathy and a sense of curiosity about the wider world.
Our first responsibility is to our students. Their online and offline safety is paramount in everything we do. We create a culture of trust and respect to enable each student to communicate and interact comfortably and confidently.
Our second responsibility is to our affiliate institutions. We strive to ensure they can easily participate in our projects, get up to date reports on their students’ progress, and meet their academic needs. We work transparently and are always available to hear their concerns.
Our third responsibility is to our team. We support and respect each other, learn and create together, and help each other build our organisation so that it can fulfil its potential while remaining aligned to our core values. We know that we are stronger together.
CORE VALUES
To connect students regardless of nationality, race, religion, or gender.
To prioritize student safety, needs, and outcomes above all else.
To improve, develop, and expand the project based on inclusivity and mutual respect.
MATTHEW SKIDMORE
Project Development & Research Team, Hansung University, South Korea
Matthew is associate professor of English at Hansung University and lead coordinator for CONNECT. He has been teaching English as a second language for 14 years, with a strong focus on communicative practice and the Flipped Classroom Approach. His research focus is in methods to increase motivation, confidence, and participation rates of non-native speakers of English.
.jpg)
NOMI SHARAN
Nomi Sharan Gazit, Project Development, Reichman University (IDC Herzliya), Israel
Nomi Sharan Gazit is a Business English communication coach based in Israel. She teaches courses at the university level (at the IDC Herzliya), as well in companies. Her specialties include: Fluency development and conversation skills, Presentation Skills, Storytelling, and Intercultural Communication.
Nomi is passionate about helping people communicate authentically and confidently and connect well with people across countries and cultures, even if their English isn't perfect.
.jpg)
TAN ENG HAI
Project Development & Research Team, Meio University, Japan
Tan Eng Hai has more than 25 years of teaching experience. He has taught in primary schools and the National Institute of Education in Singapore prior to working as an administrator in an English immersion school in Japan. He is currently an associate professor at Meio University which is located on the southern island of Japan, Okinawa. He teaches English Communication, Academic English, Business English and Intercultural Communication. He enjoys writing and his collection of poems was published in 2021, titled Self-portrait of a Neurotic.
.jpg)
FEVZI ISSEVER
Project Development & Research Team, Turkey
Fevzi İşsever has worked as an EFL Instructor in several universities based in Istanbul. He teaches foundational English at university programs that range from several months to a whole year with the aim to meet both oral and written English language needs of students for academic and social communication. His specialties include development of writing skills, designing instructional activities and conducting action research to improve the educational experience of students.
VIRGILIO ALMEIDA
Affiliate Partner & Research Team, University of Brasilia, Brazil
Virgilio Almeida has been an English teacher for over 35 years and currently is a tenured professor of Linguistics and English Morphology and Syntax at the University of Brasilia, in Brazil. He also carries out research in Communicative Competence, which corroborates his belief that real-life experiences such as the one shared on Connect are equivalent to over 100 classroom hours. He is an advocate of lifelong education, and takes every opportunity to learn something new.
ANUSHIKA KARIYAWASAM
Affiliate Partner, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka
Ms. Anushika Kariyawasam is a lecturer in English attached to the Department of English Language Teaching, at the University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. Having obtained Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in English from University of Peradeniya, and Master of Arts degree in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) from the Postgraduate Institute of English at the Open University of Sri Lanka, currently she is reading for her PhD at the University of Otago, New Zealand. With almost seven consecutive years of experience in teaching English for undergraduates from multiple disciplines, at different state universities in Sri Lanka, her philosophy in teaching and research has constantly been directed to democratize English language within the country, and to stay connected with the international academia.
EDUARDO ESQUIVEL
Affiliate Partner, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico
My name is Eduardo Esquivel, I’ve been an English teacher for 27 years at high school/ college level. I teach at Tecnológico de Monterrey which is the top leading private school ( high school/ college ) in Mexico and one of the most important in all Latin America, *Helping people learn new things is the key to a happy and well informed society*
CARMEN MEDINA
Affiliate Partner & Research Team
I’m a PhD in Applied Linguistics who became SFHEA in 2018. I was born and raised in Canada to Spanish parents. I love languages and culture! I’m based in Spain, at a government-funded language school and coordinate the Erasmus+2021-2027 program. I also love challenges, international collaboration, teaching and learning, so I hope to share my experience with you as well as learn with and about the participants in this project.
LAURA MORENO
Affiliate Partner
I'm Laura Moreno and I am a Spanish teacher working at an official language school in Antequera, Málaga ( Spain ). My students are adults who want to develop and/or improve their communication skills in English and get an official certificate (levels A1 - C2). I believe in intercultural exchanges and technology as facilitators of the learning process and that's why our school is part of the Erasmus+ project and why I am so looking forward to starting working with Connect teachers and students!
SIAKA NATALIA STEPANOVA
Affiliate Partner, Institut National Polytechnique, Cote d’Ivoire
Siaka Natalia, an associate professor at Institut National Polytechnique, Cote d’Ivoire with more than 20 years of teaching experience. The classes taught are Business and Special English as well as international exam preparation, so my prior objective in class is to let my students put what they know into practice and have more assurance in their communication skills.
CHING-WEN WANG
Project Development, Chang Jung Christian University, Taiwan
Ching-Wen is currently an assistant professor at Chang Jung Christian University in Tainan, Taiwan. She has taught English courses for 15 years at university level. Her teaching objective and research interest is to connect English learning to real-life practice. Through learning English as a lingua franca, she encourages students to broaden their global vision and mindset of diversified cultures, so they can discover the joy of international communication and strengthen themselves for future challenges.
MALGORZATA MARCHEWKA
Affiliate Partner, Cracow University of Economics
Hi! My name is Malgorzata Marchewka, but you can call me Gosia. I work as an assistant professor at Cracow University of Economics. My academic activity is focused on team and project management. During holidays you can find me camping or playing basketball. I also love studying languages!
I-CHUN JULIE CHEN
Affiliate Partner, Chinese Culture University
Julie is currently an associate professor in the Department of English Language and Literature at Chinese Culture University in Taiwan. She received her Ph.D. in Teaching and Learning from the University of Utah. Her research interests include reading instruction, early childhood education, computer-assisted language learning, and intercultural communication.
ETHEL REVELLO
Affiliate Partner, Universidad Nacional de Tierra del Fuego, Antártida e Islas del Atlántico Sur
Ethel Revello is a professor of ESP attached to the department of School of Languages at Universidad Nacional de Tierra del Fuego, Antártida e Islas del Atlántico Sur -UNTDF. She has 20 years of experience and leadership in English Education in all educational levels. She is a bicontinental English teacher -she teaches primary school children in the Argentinian Continent and in Antarctica. She works for the MInistry of Education. Her philosophy is directed to democratization of education. Her research focus is on English academic literacy. Her passion: learn your own culture and transmit multicultural awareness, tolerance. She believes that by teaching a language, students will open new doors and that will help them enjoy life and become better people living in a better world.
ÁNGELA MERAYO
Affiliate Partner, Official Language School of Ceuta (Spain)
Hi! My name is Angela. I’m an English teacher in the Official Language School
of Ceuta. My students are mainly adults who want to improve their English level.
I certainly believe that motivation is the key to success and by participating in the Connect project not only students will practice the language but also they will enrich their cultural awareness and open their minds to this interconnected world we live in.
I hope they enjoy the project as it is a great opportunity to put into practice all their knowledge in the language.
CARLOS SEBASTIAN CHÁVEZ QUERO
Affiliate Partner, Universidad Andrés Bello and Universidad de las Américas
Carlos is currently working at 2 universities in Chile: Universidad de las Americas, where he is Program Director for the TEFL study program; and Universidad Andrés Bello, where he works for the English Department as an instructor for different study programs. He has 16 years of working experience, including a year working in the United Arab Emirates as an English Instructor for ADNOC employees. He loves teaching and believes language classes should always be entertaining and engaging, and the English classroom should be a safe and comfortable place for students to learn. After all, teachers and students have to establish a positive relationship so everyone can learn.
