WelComm: Communication Skills for Integration of Migrants Erasmus Project

Project Title

WelComm: Communication Skills for Integration of Migrants

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships addressing more than one field

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2014

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Access for disadvantaged; Inclusion – equity; Intercultural/intergenerational education and (lifelong)learning

Project Summary

“WelComm: Communication Skills for Integration of Migrants” aimed at raising awareness of the importance of education for social inclusion of migrants from early age and promoting opportunities for equal start in education. WelComm addressed EU policies on early childhood education and care (ECEC) by developing materials and approaches for supporting school readiness and language acquisition of migrant children and at the same time supporting parents in their role as the main educators of their children during the early years. Among others, the WelComm products were designed in order to help children understand better the content of lessons taught, increase their interest in the benefits of learning, raise their motivation and create interest in educational opportunities.

The WelComm objectives were focused on:
– Providing opportunities for equal start in education for migrant children in pre-primary and primary school age
– Raising awareness of the importance of education for social inclusion from early age among migrant parents
– Developing innovative tools for non-formal language learning and thus improving the capacities of migrant organisations and language educators working with migrants
– Developing basic communication skills in host country language

These objectives were achieved through the development of a Multimedia Learning Kit for Migrant Children – a high-quality, attractive multi-device language product for creating and upgrading language skills of migrant children. The Kit includes a variety of language learning materials, using or involving several forms of communication or expression. It was produced in a tangible form as “WelComm GameBox”, containing a DVD with animated films and video with motion games, 4 board games and a colouring book. In addition to the GameBox there are 6 comic books of fairy tales adapted for the purposes of language learning in each one of the partner language.

The Kit was produces in 1,200 copies in the 6 partner languages (NL, BG, IT, ES, PT, GR) and spread among numerous migrant organizations and language providers working with migrant children and parents. It provides them with new approaches and motivational boosters for engaging migrants in a process of integration in society and improving the quality, attractiveness and accessibility of the language offer for migrants.

The Multimedia Learning Kit was piloted within 11 demonstrational workshops training 137 (volunteer) educators to use it with learners. The training workshops created a substantial multiplication effect and numerous follow-up events demonstrating the Kit were organised both by the workshop participants and by the project partners upon request from organizations.

The Multimedia Learning Kit was provided to more than 88 migrant organizations and language providers which are currently using it within numerous language courses with hundreds of migrant children and parents. In addition, 11 events for exploitation and sustainability of the project results were organised involving over 230 relevant stakeholders. The WelComm project was widely disseminated within 187 dissemination events reaching over 3,400 people; thousands more were reached through social media (Facebook, LinkedIn) and online dissemination.

All materials developed under the WelComm project are available on the project website (www.welcomm-project.com), which already has registered nearly 5,500 unique visitors and more than 450,000 hits.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 266007,75 Eur

Project Coordinator

Cooperatieve vereniging Pressure Line U.A. & Country: NL

Project Partners

• EURORESO
• INSTITUTO DE FORMACION Y ESTUDIOS SOCIALES (IFES)
• Inthecity Project Development
• KU TU EOOD
• UNIVERSITA PER STRANIERI DI SIENA
• FLEP – FORMAÇÃO, LÍNGUA E ESTUDOS PORTUGUESES, LIMITADA
• SYNTHESIS CENTER FOR RESEARCH AND EDUCATION LTD