By Alexander Jude Padernal
CPU and Tra Vinh University–Vietnam foster global learning and intercultural understanding through a virtual Mini-COIL Project on language attitudes, promoting meaningful cross-cultural communication among future educators.
Participants from Central Philippine University’s College of Education and Tra Vinh University in Vietnam, engaged in a Mini-Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) Project held virtually on July 1, 2026.
The students from CPU Bachelor of Secondary Education, Major in English and doctorate students from Tra Vinh University participated in this event.
Headed and organized by CPU’s Asst. Prof. Bryan Paul L. Espinosa and Prof. Châu Thị Hoàng Hoa of Tra Vinh University, the Mini-COIL Project is an initiative that aims to connect participants from different countries to collaborate and exchange ideas, share cultural identities, and develop global perspectives through meaningful intercultural learning experiences.
The said event is a series of four events composed of two synchronous meetings and two asynchronous tasks.
During the first session, participants from the Philippines and Vietnam were tasked to evaluate and identify an individual’s identity using only language cues like tone, accent, and vocabulary. This activity revealed language biases that participants subconsciously possess.
After the match-guise activity, Asst. Prof. Espinosa, assigned lecturer, discussed language attitudes and invited participants to be models of open-mindedness to allow ethical and safe intercultural spaces to thrive.
“The boundaries for intercultural communication have become thinner with opportunities—made available to Centralians by programs like COIL—for students to engage with foreign learners and professionals abroad,” he said, emphasizing that events like the Mini-COIL Project make cultural differences less of a barrier.
“May all educators pave the path for open cross-cultural communication to take place, where we learn to listen without judging someone’s language competence as their overall competence,” Asst. Prof. Espinosa added.
Furthermore, Prof. Châu Thị Hoàng Hoa expressed delight over the high student participation, noting it indicates a growing interest in intercultural communication. She shared that through this interaction, participants learn from one another.
According to Generev Agutaya, the event’s master of ceremonies, “I think this was a well-executed and meaningful international academic collaboration. The event reflects not only knowledge sharing but also the spirit of global citizenship, cultural appreciation, and educational partnership between the Philippines and Vietnam.
“It is the kind of initiative that deserves recognition because it goes beyond a typical webinar—it creates authentic cross-cultural learning experiences,” she added.
The event was also attended by the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Merle L. Junsay and the Dean of the College of Education, Dr. Eden P. Gomez.
The second and last phase of the Mini-COIL Project is set to take place on July 15, 2026, where they will present the tasks given to them as a group.