Let’s be honest—pen pals are great in theory, but when it comes down to pricey postage and long waits for a handwritten reply (that may or may not arrive), the magic can fade as quickly as disappearing ink. Enter virtual exchanges: a way to connect classrooms across the globe without worrying about endangered species like stamps, customs forms, or teaching kids how to write in cursive.
Shelly Nichols, a veteran Spanish teacher at Pitman High School in South Jersey, has been diving headfirst into this modern-day cultural exchange. After three years of running virtual exchanges with Level Up Village, she’s learned a thing or two about what works, what’s worth it, and how these programs can change the game for students.
Why Virtual Exchanges Are a No-Brainer
You don’t know her, but one of the admirable and fun characteristics of Shelly is that she doesn’t mince words–especially when it comes to the value of virtual exchanges. “In the classroom, students can practice with each other or with me, but they don’t get the experience of interacting with native speakers,” she says. “Virtual exchanges bring that authenticity to language learning.”
And she’s not just talking about fluency drills or “conjuguemos.” These exchanges bring students face-to-face (or screen-to-screen) with real people, complete with accents, natural speech patterns, and cultural nuances. “It’s like culture comes alive for them,” she explains.
Shelly recalls a moment when her students, who had exchanged videos with peers in Argentina, were mesmerized by clips of glaciers and discussions about environmental preservation. “It opened up an incredible dialogue. They couldn’t believe how much effort the Argentinean government put into protecting nature,” she says. “That kind of cultural immersion? You can’t replicate it with a worksheet.” I’m surprised she didn’t follow up with something to her students about what they witnessed being just the tip of the iceberg, but…then again, maybe Shelly, unlike this author, has a filter.
The Learning Curve (And Why It’s Worth It)
Of course, getting started with virtual exchanges wasn’t all smooth sailing. (See, now the iceberg bit is beginning to pay off, isn’t it?) Shelly admits she had to wrestle with logistics at first. “How do I fit this into my curriculum? Should it be an in-class activity or homework? That was my big question,” she told me.
But once she found her groove, it clicked. One challenge she tackled head-on was supporting students at different proficiency levels. “Not everyone walks into the room ready to record a video in Spanish,” Shelly explains. I, of course, hid my abject shock. For those who needed a boost, she encouraged them to write out their responses first. “Seeing their thoughts on paper gave them confidence. The goal wasn’t perfection—it was about putting themselves out there.” And I think that resonates with all of us educators nowadays.
Creative Kids, Creative Solutions
Shelly thought she’d be guiding students through the process, but she quickly learned they had their own ideas. “I assumed they’d just record themselves talking,” she says. “But no—they went all out. They added music, subtitles, video clips, and created professional-quality videos.”
This creativity wasn’t just a nice surprise—it turned into a game-changer. Students started collaborating to piece together tricky parts of response videos, listening repeatedly to improve comprehension. “It was a real-world exercise in problem-solving and listening,” she says.
Even though she’s not one to sugarcoat things, Shelly can’t help but gush a little about the results. “Watching them grow, both in their language skills and their confidence, has been amazing,” she says.
The Magic Moments
If you’re wondering whether virtual exchanges deliver those feel-good teaching moments, Shelly’s answer is a resounding SI. One of her favorites? Students freaking out (in the best way) when they found out their peers in Argentina also loved anime. “It blew their minds that they had so much in common,” she laughs.
Then there are the goofy, slice-of-life videos—students showing off their schools, playing soccer, or just running around a local Target. “Their personalities really shine through,” she says. “That kind of authenticity is priceless.”
Looking Ahead: The Future of Virtual Exchanges
So, what’s next for virtual exchanges? Shelly thinks we’re just scratching the surface. “Maybe in 10–20 years, we’ll see fully immersive virtual reality experiences,” she muses. “Imagine students meeting as avatars in a digital Plaza Mayor or exploring a virtual Eiffel Tower together. That would be incredible.” I’ve written about this before, and she’s right…kids meeting virtually on Mars is not so far off in the future!
For Teachers Ready to Dive In
Shelly’s advice to other teachers is simple: do it. “Don’t hesitate,” she says. “Virtual exchanges won’t disrupt your curriculum—they’ll enhance it. Your students will gain invaluable experience with intercultural communication, and you’ll see their speaking and listening skills improve in ways you never thought possible.”
And if funding feels like a roadblock? “There are so many grants and opportunities out there,” she says. “It’s more accessible than you might think.”
Final Thoughts
I loved talking to Shelly, a like-minded educator who clearly shows signs of the travel bug, and a strong desire to bring her students out into the world. For Shelly Nichols, virtual exchanges aren’t just another teaching tool—they’re a way to break down barriers and bring the world into her classroom. “These programs remind us that the world is so much bigger than our classroom walls,” she says.
Ready to make culture come alive in your classroom? Virtual exchanges might just be your next big thing.
