English Language Communication in Agile Cross-Border Projects: Implications on Virtual Learning Settings

Virtual collaboration in cross-border projects is the reality for many employees. Such settings create challenges for the communication competence of project managers and team members. In international projects, the lingua franca in such communication settings is English, though many of the participants are non-native English speakers. The shift to more flexible or agile principles makes communication even more important in such projects since flexible or agile philosophy puts frequent and open communication as a priority before elaborated processes and documentation. The ability to communicate successfully in English in such settings is therefore a key competence for future graduates from higher education. This is a challenge for education since virtual cross-border projects have to combine several areas which are constantly researched and investigated: international communication in English (especially for non-native speakers), intercultural communication in cross-border projects, cross-organisational communication, communication in projects in general, online communication, and finally: communication in agile teams. All areas use different and sometimes conflicting didactic and educational approaches to deliver the required competence. For our contribution, the main approach is project-based learning (PjBL) in realistic project settings. We combine this with a tailored intercultural and English language training. The concept is developed, evaluated and tested with students from two different universities in different countries and time zones during a module on agile management in virtual environments. For the evaluation, as an experiment, the students form cross-border teams and conduct an element from agile management, a scrum sprint. The experiment is done in English while all students are non-native speakers. The evaluation is expected to discover communication issues, lessons learned and best practices. The research is intended to improve the teaching and learning with respect to relevant communication competences.