Friends and Flags

Karen, Eini (2005).Friends and flags. Educational Leadership. 63 no 4, 68-69.

Eini, teaches college-level English at Rubin Institute for Higher Education. She used to work as a ninth grade English teacher in Israel when she created her project “Friends and Flags”. Eini designed the “Friends and Flags” online project for her ninth grade students to use communication technology in order to bridge cultural barriers. Students interact in English through e-mails, blogs, discussion boards, electronic mailing lists, and a project Web site. The project connects classrooms around the world in the international learning teams; made up of many countries around the globe. Students can create packages of authentic print materials and items representing their culture and then send them to their partners through the Web site.
The article states that about 30,000 students from 50 countries participated in the program. The writer believes that this program has prompted equal learning opportunities for diverse students, as well as gaining valuable cultural communication skills while practicing their English. Friends and Flags also fostered opportunities for collaboration among Jewish and Arab educators and learners within Israel. The article concludes that students have increased their active English vocabularies, improved their reading comprehension skills in English and developed their writing skills as they communicate with diverse audiences.
I think the “Friends and Flags” project has a very strong message. It will have a positive impact on the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians. It will pave the road for peace in that region. I do agree with the author that the project will develop the learners’ communication and socialization skills. The embedded message is that it teaches students to have respect for themselves and for others.