Audiovisual Media in L2 Teaching. Grundtvig Learning Partnership

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1 Audiovisual Media in L2 Teaching Grundtvig Learning Partnership

2 Introduction Audiovisual Media in L2 Teaching In 2011 institutions from 7 European countries started planning a common project. All involved institutions agreed on the importance of audiovisual media in teaching foreign languages and the need to develop original material and methodologies for using new technology in the language classroom. The project was born and an application for a Grundtvig Learning Partnership submitted in February 2012 which was approved in September 2012 unfortunately involving only 4 of the originally 7 partners. The partners of the project Bios-Life Long Learning Centre, Cyprus (coordinator) Language Centre, London School of Economics, UK Institut für Interkulturelle Kommunikation-Berlin e.v. (IIK), Germany Istituto d' Istruzione Superiore "Matteo Raeli", Italy first met in November 2012 and since then cooperated in developing, testing and presenting teaching materials, exemplary lesson plans and recommendations for teachers in 5 languages until July The work and activities of the project as well as the material produced has been published on the project s website: 1

3 Partners Bios Life Long Learning Centre Cyprus The partner from Cyprus is a non-profit association set up by educators involved in the teaching of foreign languages, media and technology. The organization s main occupation is the provision of teacher training courses both on a local and European level as well as the coordination of international projects related to the teaching and learning of foreign languages. The Centre closely cooperates with various NGOs and youth groups in Cyprus and supports a series of youth projects in the area of media literacy, the use of technology and social media, intercultural communication and youth democracy. For this project the institution cooperated with the School of Modern Greek Language of the University of Cyprus. Coordinator: Dr. Anna Kyritsi 2

4 Partners Language Centre The London School of Economics United Kingdom The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is one of the foremost social science universities in the world. The Language Centre at the London School of Economics reflects the specialist nature of the School itself, namely, a world class institution where the quality of teaching and research is paramount. LSE is not just a multi-national university but also a multi-lingual one. At the LSE Language Centre, we offer English Programmes for our international students and we also a range of Modern Foreign Languages to all students, staff and general public. The students can take our courses as part of their undergraduate degree or as an extra-curriculum activity. We also actively involved in EU projects and the past successful projects including LETPP and LUCIDE. Project coordinator: Dr Catherine Hua Xiang 3

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6 Partners Institut für Interkulturelle Kommunikation Berlin e.v. Germany The Institute for Intercultural Communication (IIK) is a nonprofit organization. It is committed to promoting international education and research. This is achieved using a variety of different techniques and modes of communication including: Language Courses in German as a foreign/second language (DaF/DaZ) Teacher Training and Professional Staff Development Development and Application of Interactive Media Software in collaboration with the Agentur für Arbeit and with the support of the European Social Fund Training for Management Personnel and Vocational Training for Employees Various publications of teaching material Cultural and Language Excursions for Foreign Visitors Project coordinators: Prof. Dr. Gerhard Wazel/ Dr. Martin Hahn 5

7 Partners Istituto d Istruzione Superiore Matteo Raeli Italy Istituto d Istruzione Superiore Matteo Raeli is a secondary school in Noto/ Italy (Sicily). The school, founded in 1897, is active in a series of European projects with the aim to encourage students: to cope with the real world at national and international level to become citizens with a strong awareness of democratic values and the principle of legality to feel as active parts of the European community Matteo Raeli participated in this project in cooperation with the Third Age University (Università della terza età di Noto-Unitre). Unitre depends on the voluntary activities of its members offering training, information, research and intergenerational contacts. Project coordinator: Maria Rizza 6

8 Rationale Living in a world dominated by technology and the constant presence of electronic devices as well as an constant inflow of information via the world wide web it is inevitable that teachers are asked to adapt their teaching methodology and materials to these new tools. Especially in the highly competitive field of language learning there is an abundance of new methods based on technology. But which of these are really useful in class, what methods can be used to maximize the effect of technology in teaching, how can teachers evaluate the offers and choose according to the needs of their learners and curricula? These and many more questions were the starting point for the work done during in this project. Limiting the wide field of technology to the use of audiovisual media in L2 teaching the partners designed, tested and evaluated material which was then presented in the joint sessions during transnational meetings. The aim of this work was to give participant trainers the chance to use and benefit from new teaching methodologies learning from each other and further developing their skills, to create materials that could be used by other teachers being openly accessible on the project s website and finally to improve the quality of teaching L2 and in consequence the knowledge and skills of language learners. 7

9 Products Teaching material & recommendations The project was divided into 3 phases dedicated to the use of video, images and music as well as specialized software in language teaching. During the project partners developed teaching material for 5 languages (Mandarin, German, Greek, Spanish, English) which was incorporated into exemplary lessons for various language levels. The materials were tested and evaluated in courses at the partner institutions and the results presented during transnational meetings. Exemplary lessons supplemented by recommendations and useful links are published on the project s website. Dissemination During the project partners implemented various dissemination activities to make the project s aims and results known to persons involved in L2 teaching. Activities included the setting up of a website with regular publication of materials, research and links as well as press releases in local media and relevant websites and blogs and presentations at teacher training courses and conferences. 8

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11 Opinions What participants said about the project: Participating in the Grundtvig project allowed us to share common issues across different contexts. I learned, not only from colleagues from other countries, but also from my Institution by getting to know more in depth projects I had previously only known vaguely. I found it very useful to share experiences with colleagues who work in contexts totally different from the Higher Education environment. There were many examples of their practice that can be implemented in HE. It was a very enlightening experience which provided us with useful information by exchanging ideas and methods with colleagues from other European countries. All this knowledge will be shared and communicated to my fellow teachers. It is always a pleasure to meet people sharing similar educational visions. Taking part in the Grundtvig project has been a great opportunity to meet colleagues in other countries who have exploited media in their teaching and thereby created both social and professional links. Sometimes media and technology were used in a way which was completely new to us, other times they inspired us in using already adopted technologies to their fullest potential or in new, innovative ways. I would start the project all over again, if possible! It's a very innovative project which allowed learners to use target language for meaningful purposes. I particularly liked the idea of it being 'learner-led' as this meant students could develop their learning skills alongside their linguistic ones. Meeting colleagues from different countries and sharing experiences and knowledge gave me many new ideas and made my work more interesting and meaningful. I hope the experience can be repeated in the future. 10

12 Outlook Future cooperation All partners agree that the ongoing economic and social developments will influence the way languages are taught necessitating new methodologies and teaching material. Especially in Europe the rise of unemployment and the mobility of work force results in new challenges for language learners, teachers and material developers. The cooperation between institutions and the transfer of knowledge and good practices is the only way to adequately face these challenges and prepare learners for active language use and successful communication. The successful cooperation in the Grundtvig Learning Partnership Audiovisual Media in L2 teaching has generated various new projects between the partner institutions. The partners from Germany and Cyprus cooperated in the application for a KA2 Strategic Partnership together with other institutions while the partners from Cyprus and Italy successfully submitted an Erasmus+ Key Action 1 application. Partners continue working together, exchanging ideas and discussion new projects for the future. 11

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14 Contacts Get in touch for more information about the project or to discuss related ideas and suggestions for future projects. The partners of this project are open to new partnerships in the area of language teaching: This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This communication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. 13