2. What are the benefits of COIL?

COIL projects involve a partnership between teachers from different countries in order to provide students with the opportunity to collaborate in online environment (Beelen & Jones, 2015). Students are organised into multinational teams to develop predefined activities that combine synchronous and asynchronous work moments. These activities can take different formats, as long as they fit within the learning outcomes and the assessment methods designed for the courses involved. COIL projects may be short-term or extend throughout the semester.

International studies show that COIL has a relevant impact on the personal and academic development of participants and is valued by various stakeholders, including teachers, students and employers. Participation in these projects promotes the development of various competences and skills, e.g. communication, language, multidisciplinary teamwork, intercultural awareness and sensitivity, autonomy and time management (Barbosa, Santos & Prado-Meza, 2020).

In addition, the involvement in COIL projects enables teachers to:

:: establish or strengthen international partnerships;

:: integrate innovative and challenging practices into their courses;

:: convey an international dimension to learning;

:: collaborate with peers;

:: increase class dynamism;

:: improve student interest and satisfaction rates;