Multimodal Assignment

Finally I decided to use the ELI international students in my class as background to design this assignment. The students are from different countries, and they are all coming here to study English. Sometimes it is difficult for them to communicate not only because their English is limited, but also because they lack the understanding of each other's culture. For example, a Saudi female student will feel offensive if a male is approaching her. Even in class, these female students sit at their corner. I just learned that alcohol is prohibited in Arab countries. Asian students are quieter in class and Saudi students talk more. I feel that the international students will work together better if they understand each other's culture. So, the assignment is for the students to present on cultures of their home country. They have the options of using PowerPoint or other softwares. They have to include in their presentation the following materials: pictures, audio, video clip and necessary words. The students can work in a group if they are from the same country, but each member has to take part in the presentation to introduce some part of the whole project.
In this practice, the students are working on something they are familiar with, and using English to present their work. The project could be used for other occasion when they need to introduce their native culture to foreigners. It is meaning work for students. By searching for the right expression for the part they want to present, the students is learning by doing. It is a learning experience for everyone.