The effect of online exchanges via Skype on EFL learners’ achievements

Yumiko Furumura was awarded a doctorate in social and cultural studies from Kyushu University in Japan in 2007. She is a professor and teaches English as a Foreign Language to Japanese students at Nagasaki University, Japan. Her recent research and publications focus on intercultural education through English language education using computer technology, specifically on the development of the intercultural competence as well as linguistic competence.

Hsin-chou Huang is a Professor of English as a Foreign Language at the InstituteofApplied EnglishatNationalTaiwanOceanUniversity. Her research focuses on using computer technology for language teaching and learning, second language reading and writing, and teacher education. She has published articles inComputer Assisted Language Learning,ReCALL, andInternational Journal of Computer-Assisted Language Learning and Teaching.