COLLABORATIVE ONLINE INTERNATIONAL LEARNING (COIL) AND ITS IMPACT IN THE EFL CLASSROOM. A LITERATURA RIVIEW.

COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) is a methodology that has gained traction in recent years within higher education, demonstrating significant advantages in the development of essential skills for the 21st century, particularly in response to the demands of globalization. As a result, it has emerged as a highly relevant approach for training future professionals. This article presents a literature review of the implementation of this methodology across various countries, including those in Europe, Asia, and America. The researchers employed qualitative analysis and conducted a comprehensive search for research reports on the implementation of COIL courses. A thorough review of COIL course implementations identified ninety articles from the past five years.Twenty were selected for review, focusing on the development of communicative English skills and the incorporation of cultural elements. The results indicate that significant advantages of this methodology include the development of intercultural, digital, social, and communicative competencies, particularly in English. This underscores the relevance and effectiveness of the methodology in fostering 21st-century skills. However, several disadvantages impede the effective implementation of this approach, such as a lack of institutional support, inadequate teacher training, and limited access to the Internet, which serves as a crucial means of communication for students from diverse regions. Other barriers, which are relatively easier to address, include time zone differences, teachers' commitment, and the emotional and social engagement of students. Interestingly, language barriers have emerged as positive aspects, as COIL offers opportunities for authentic communication in English with both native and non-native speakers.