Summary of on-line language & cultural learning modules within vocational contexts
MOLAN (MOtivating LANguage Learning) - http://www.molan-network.org/
Summary of case studies about how to motivate learners to study languages: http://www.molan.info/
Network for the exchange of information about good practices that serve to motivate language learners. Participation of more than 40 higher education institutions and schools in 24 European countries and four major European and national organisations:
• European Language Council (CEL/ELC) http://www.celelc.org/
• European University Foundation (Campus Europae) http://www.campuseuropae.org/en/
• EUN Partnership AISBL (European Schoolnet) http://www.eun.org/portal/index.htm
• CILT, UK National Centre for Languages http://www.cilt.org.uk/
VOCAL (Vocationally Oriented Culture and Language) - http://www.vocalproject.eu
On-line language learning and cultural preparation tools for work placements and residence abroad. These materials are based on the key topics Travel, Accommodation, Socialising, Work, Emergencies and include LSP components Business, Tourism, Engineering, Banking. The aim is to facilitate a successful integration process whereby learners can engage in pre-departure preparation and maximise linguistically and culturally. The VOCAL project partnership consists of 10 European countries, 12 partners and 11 languages including Irish: Ireland (3 partners), Bulgaria, Germany, Finland, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal, Slovakia and Switzerland.
Project Coordinator: Institute of Technology Tralee.
Quality Manager: Institute of Technology Tallaght Dublin
Ready, Study, Go - http://www.readystudygo-project.net/
Linguistic and Cultural Coaching for Initial Vocational Education – Language Learning Integrated into Vocational Context. A virtual e-learning system for language and cultural training before an on-the-job learning period. Online materials developed by teams of vocational and language teachers. Partners: Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Estonia.
This project won the European Language Award 2008. Quality Manager: IT Tralee
LINGUA 2 PROJECT - http://lingua.ru.lv/
Foreign language teaching at higher education institutions within the European framework. Development of teaching material in different languages, taking European cultural diversity into account. Partners: Latvia, Germany, Portugal, Belgium, Lithuania.
European Intercultural Workplace (EIW) Project www.eiworkplace.net
A consortium of 10 European Partners Coordinated by School of Applied Language and Intercultural Studies (SALIS), Dublin City University. IT Tralee was a “Social Partner”.
Eurocatering Language Training - http://www.eurocatering.org/
A web-based interactive language course and social platform in 7 languages for the catering sector. Enables the student to learn vocabulary and communicative skills for placement abroad in a kitchen or restaurant. Available languages: English, French, Spanish, Galician, Dutch, Norwegian and Slovenian.
Downloads for PRESS RELEASES: EnglishIrish
Dr. Mary Ann Kenny, Lecturer in German at the Institute of Technology Blanchardstown, was recently awarded the 2010 European Language Label for her project ‘Using a Multimedia Weblog with First-Year Undergraduate Students of German’.
This project was carried out at the Institute of Technology Blanchardstown from February to May 2010 with 17 first-year undergraduate students of German. Each student created a personal Weblog using blogger.com and weekly blog tasks were set by the instructor relating to topics which would subsequently be examined in an oral examination at the end of the semester. Students were required to make postings to their blogs integrating text, image, sound and video. A range of Web 2.0 and other applications was used for this purpose: PowerPoint, Voki, Voice Thread and Movie Maker. Formative feedback was provided to students by the instructor via the blog comment function. The project was evaluated by the instructor in terms of student motivation, effectiveness of feedback, ICT skills and language-learning skills.
For further details please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The CELAN PROJECT - http://www.celan-platform.eu/
The project is the direct result of the discussions within the Business Platform for Multilingualism, set up in September 2009 as part of the European Commission’s continuing commitment to raising awareness of the importance oflanguage competence. The project’s principal objective is to facilitate adialogue in the language field between the business community and language practitioners.
The first part of the project (WP1) concentrates on research on the linguistic needs of companies in different sectors and different regions of Europe. These needs will be identified in economic and technical terms, so as to produce a comprehensive picture of requirements based on qualitative responses rather than using a quantitative approach. The main deliverable will be a report providing an analysis at business sector level. WP2 will identify and analyze existing language-related services and tools relevant to business users, in particular SMEs. The work package will highlight matches between the expressed business needs and the resources, as well as any gaps. The extent to which HE institutions are aware of business needs and are responding appropriately will also be assessed.
With the outputs from the first two work packages, WP3 will then develop innovative on-line applications to support the language needs of business users (self-assessment, showcases, instructional modules, etc.).
WP4 is dedicated to dissemination: a comprehensive communication strategy will be developed, including promotional material, content for the project web-site, and the organization of events. In particular, a mid-term Round Table will be presented to show interim results and a Final Workshop to detail project outcomes to interested parties and stakeholders. WP5 looks at the transfer of key project outcomes to decision-makers in all relevant sectors. The main outputs will be a vademecum of significant language scenarios, a policy brief, and a detailed document with specific recommendations to the Commission on language policy. The final work packages (WP6 and WP7) are exclusively concerned with the specific activities of Project Management and Quality Assurance.
The impacts generated by the project should respond to the needs of the broad business community, while further developments in language strategies and methodologies might allow specialization in particular areas (sector, area, customer type, etc), so maintaining the momentum generated beyond the end of the eligibility period.
The project is lead by: Conseil europeen pour les langues / European Language Council (CEL/ELC)
L Pack 2: Citizenship Language Pack for Migrants in Europe - http://www.l-pack.eu
This project has developed a 'pack' of language learning materials including interactive videos, written materials, audio files, and an app for migrants learning the language of their host country in Europe. Translex developed the English language version and are currently in the piloting phase.
L2 Paths: Pathways to Host Country Languages for Migrants - http://www.l2paths.eu
L2 Paths: Pathways to Host Country Languages for Migrants is another project dedicated to migrants learning the language of their host country. It's aim is to train language advisers and establish language advice centres for migrants along with an online tool for helping each individual create a personalised learning plan.
RETOUR: Russian for Tourism - http://www.russian-for-tourism.eu
RETOUR is based on a similar model of interactive videos, written materials, audio files, and an app, but it is intended to help workers in the tourist and hospitality sector gain a basic understanding of conversational Russian so as to tap into the massive potential of the Russian tourist market. We are also piloting RETOUR at the moment.
Babelium - http://www.babelium-project.eu
Babelium is an innovative ICT-based learning methodology and content for second language oral expression learning. The emphasis of this project is on speaking and improving overall oral fluency through video exercises and online collaboration with language teachers, native speakers and other learners.
More links to EU projects can be found here.