MULTIMODAL CREATIVITY AT THE SERVICE OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHING IN HIGHER EDUCATION IN PORTUGAL: THE JASM PROJECT

The JASM project used the Korsakow6 platform to produceStorytellingin foreign languages (FL), by students of the Media Studies degree course (Higher Education-HE) of the Escola Superior de Educação de Viseu(ESEV, Portugal).Objective: Look into the impact of non-linear digital narratives upon FL learning in HE, assessing the role of multimodal tools in fostering linguistic, cultural, and technological skills.Theoretical Framework: The study was grounded in active methodologies with a focus on integrating intercultural skills. Using new technologies is a catalyst forenhancing student motivation and autonomy.Method: The project, developed within the context of French and English, involved 25 voluntarily participating students attending the first year. Following language level tests, each group gathered information about the nationality and culture of migrants living in Viseu. Students conducted interviews and documented migrants’ life stories, traditions, using digital narratives. Final outputs included short films, social media posts, exhibitions, and an e-book. Results and Discussion: Students enhanced cognitive, emotional and aesthetic skills within collaborative environments, integrating experiences from multilingual and multicultural contexts with creative and multimodal abilities and increased autonomy and initiative. Challenges were identified, highlighting the need for ongoing teacher training.Research Implications: This project showed how digital and active pedagogies can foster the development of FL and intercultural competencies in HE students.Originality/Value: This study provides for an innovative approach relying on multimodal technologies for teaching FL in HE. The transformative potential of digital narratives as an impactful pedagogical tool is highlighted.