Running a virtual exchange sounds like a big lift—and if you’re like most teachers, you probably wonder: How much class time is this actually going to take? Can I fit this into my already too-packed curriculum? Or even Everything takes so much longer than I plan! How will this work? The good news is: it’s doable, it’s flexible, and with just a little weekly planning, it can, as it has for so many of us Level Up Villagers, become the most engaging part of your curriculum.
Here’s a week-by-week breakdown of how to make time for a Level Up Village (LUV) exchange, including how to budget class time for discussions, video prep, and responses. Whether you’re working with 3rd graders or high school seniors, and all the young learners in between, this guide is definitely worth your time!
The Numbers:
First, I want to give you my estimates in raw numerals for your consideration; then we’ll dig in a little deeper on the nitty gritties.
Estimated Weekly Time Commitment
Total Weekly Class Time Needed:
- Elementary (Grades 3–5): 90–150 minutes per week
- Middle School (Grades 6–8): 60–120 minutes per week
- High School (Grades 9–12): 45–90 minutes per week
Typical Number of Class Periods per Week:
- Elementary: 3–4 sessions
- Middle & High School: 2–3 sessions
Weekly Time Management Breakdown
1. Kickoff Conversation / Pre-Lesson Activity
This is your weekly warm-up—you know, introducing the topic and building background knowledge. This could include watching a video, reading a short article, discussing vocabulary, or brainstorming around the prompt. In some of the more popular Level Up Village courses, this could be reading The Giver or I Am Malala, or viewing media related to sustainability, clean water, or cultural celebrations. Here’s a suggested breakdown (again, assuming that, like in my experience, things tend to take longer with your younger learners):
Time Needed:
- Elementary: 30–40 minutes
- Middle School: 20–30 minutes
- High School: 15–25 minutes
Tip: Use visual prompts and sentence starters for younger learners to help them engage with the content.
2. Watching Partner Videos and Responding
Students view the videos created by their international peers and leave thoughtful replies or reflections. This step encourages active listening and genuine connection. I like to do this in class not because I want to encourage more screen time for my students, but so that I can first ensure that they’re not just skimming through the videos, or simply watching the first few seconds in order to comment on something, and so that I can share in their reactions. I love to see my students light up when they view their partners’ videos, comment on similarities between cultures, laugh, or get fired up about the topics mentioned and pop culture referenced.
Time Needed:
- Elementary: 20–30 minutes
- Middle School: 15–25 minutes
- High School: 10–20 minutes
Tip: Especially for your first responses, I would model appropriate comments before students submit their own. You can also have them draft responses as a class or in pairs, or prepare a little cheat sheet on “thoughtful replies.” You can suggest they comment on specific moments in the video and choices in their partners’ creation that acknowledge the work. This will promote empathy and active listening.
3. Planning and Scripting Their Own Video
As you know, the heart of Level Up Village courses lies in students preparing to record and then producing their video. The first step should involve brainstorming, outlining, and for some, writing out a script to avoid some off-the-cuff, underdeveloped recording runt!
Time Needed:
- Elementary: 20–30 minutes
- Middle School: 15–25 minutes
- High School: 10–20 minutes
Tip: Scaffold the planning with graphic organizers—you know, storyboards, as they call them in the ‘biz—and let students rehearse in pairs or small groups.
4. Filming and Uploading (or Editing) Videos
Depending on your setup, students may simply record on the spot or take more time to edit their work for clarity and quality. I’ve had students who are natural, one-take wonders in front of the camera, and others who prefer to use notes and only do voice-overs to narrate a curated set of images. Needless to say, the time can vary quite a bit here.
Time Needed (Recording Only):
- Elementary: 20–30 minutes
- Middle School: 15–25 minutes
- High School: 10–20 minutes
Time Needed (Recording + Light Editing in Class):
- Elementary: 30–45 minutes
- Middle School: 20–35 minutes
- High School: 15–30 minutes
Tip: Allow students to film in rotating stations or groups to save time and minimize disruption. Use familiar tools like Flip, CapCut, or built-in device recorders. Even if they’re all recording in one room, microphone technology (and headphones) have made singling out the closest voice so much better over the years that you no longer need a language lab or a media room to pull this off!
Weekly Checklist for Teachers
| Task | Approximate Time | Notes |
| Introduce weekly topic and facilitate discussion | 15–40 minutes | Reading, brainstorming, or watching and reacting to a video |
| Guide students in watching/responding to partner videos | 10–30 minutes | Can be done in pairs, groups, or as homework |
| Support students with planning/scripting their video | 10–30 minutes | Include prep templates or peer editing |
| Supervise filming and uploading | 20–45 minutes | Break into filming blocks or stations |
| Review submissions and help with tech if needed | 10–15 minutes | Confirm uploads and troubleshoot if necessary |
Total Weekly Class Time:
- Lower Elementary: 2–2.5 hours
- Upper Elementary / Middle School:5–2 hours
- High School: 1–1.5 hours
Final Thoughts
Your virtual exchange doesn’t have to dominate your calendar, but it will transform your classroom. Even 60 to 90 minutes a week can spark curiosity, boost confidence, and open up global perspectives–goals that have, for global educators, always been “the point.” You’re not just assigning a project—you’re building bridges.
With a weekly rhythm in place, your Level Up Village virtual exchange course becomes less of an “extra” and more of a natural extension of your curriculum. And the best part? Your students won’t just be learning about the world—they’ll be in it.
