DiM Project Erasmus Project

Project Title

DiM Project

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 for adult education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2018

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Inclusion – equity; Teaching and learning of foreign languages; Integration of refugees

Project Summary

DiM Project, designed by CPIA AVELLINO to support the teaching and learning of the Italian language, consists of an online multilingual dictionary for students and teachers of schools and organizations engaged in language teaching for foreign students.
Its main objectives include the creation of an online multilingual dictionary based on the most widely spoken languages among students of partner institutions at A1 level (set by the CEFR), hosted on a free platform. Designed to enhance the sociolinguistic heritage of foreign students and to promote active participation of schools and pupils, it emphasizes linguistic and social inclusion as a means of integration.
DiM was created in collaboration with 6 partners: CPIA Benevento, which until 2016 was part of CPIA Avellino; CPIA Ravenna, a keen supporter of DiM since the project was first presented at a CPIAs’ interregional seminar; Active Citizens Partnership, an NGO based in Greece experienced in working with migrants and refugees; Future Focus Ltd, an adult training centre in Malta which offers lifelong learning opportunities; IMS Research & Development Center, a private school located in Cyprus that places emphasis on issues of gender equality and social inclusion, attracting students of different nationalities; 36.6 Competence Centre, located in Scotland, with experience in training programs for adults facing problems in acquiring the language of the host country.
Each partner collected linguistic data for 2 languages: their own and another language chosen from among the most widely spoken by their students. In addition, profiles were created for each of the languages and countries represented. CPIA Avellino coordinated the various phases and activities of the project; established the format for the collection of linguistic data; processed the data by creating the database of the online dictionary and designed the DiM Project website.
The project resulted in: 1. the creation of an online multilingual dictionary (dictionary.dimproject.net), mounted on a digital platform and made available free of charge. Eleven languages are included: Bambara, Bengali, Farsi, Russian, Tagalog, Tigrinya, Wolof, Italian, Greek, English and Maltese. The interface is very simple, can be accessed from any device and is designed to be used by all, including those with low literacy levels. It allows embedding, so the dictionary can be included in any other website. Each headword (500 entries per language) includes audio; a schematic drawing (where possible); transliteration in the Latin alphabet; a definition of the word and its grammatical description. Drawings were made by students for some languages; also included are semantic lists, linguistic profiles containing descriptions of the main characteristics of each language and examples of activities. 2. The building of the project website (dimproject.net).
The DiM project afforded great opportunities for human and professional enrichment resulting from the exchange of experiences between the different partners, as well as between students and teachers from several countries.
During the data revision phase, language experts from the “Università degli Studi di Napoli L’Orientale” were consulted. The project, deemed a valid tool by this group of academics, aroused their interest and led them to offer us advice and guidance. In addition, they also introduced us to several other experts from different universities.
The DiM Multiplier Event, held on 7 November 2020, provided an opportunity to share the project’s findings, to demonstrate the dictionary’s uses and to reflect and exchange views on current practices relating to the welcoming and inclusion of migrants. The participants included representatives from government institutions, civil society and the Secondary and Higher Education sectors, teachers, students, cultural mediators and people working with migrants. The result was a webinar in which topics such as the complex relationships between oral and written languages in developing countries, as well as the importance of documenting and preserving minority and often endangered languages were touched upon. Some schools, cultural associations and organizations have already requested the dictionary for use within their own institutions.
Emanating from the multiplier event was Prof Ilaria Micheli’s proposal to discuss and reflect on the same themes but from an academic perspective, aiming to collect a number of extended and more in-depth versions of the webinar presentations to be brought together as a book published by the EUT (Edizioni Università di Trieste) in the series ATrA – African Transition.
The project also resulted in a fruitful collaboration between school teachers and academics, in particular in the domain of adult education. Key players involved in the project were enriched by the exchange, resulting in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the University of Naples L’ Orientale and CPIA Avellino.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 160825 Eur

Project Coordinator

C.P.I.A. AVELLINO & Country: IT

Project Partners

• SYNERGASIA ENEGON POLITON
• CPIA RAVENNA
• Future Focus Ltd
• IMS Research & Development Center
• CPIA PROVINCIA DI BENEVENTO
• 36.6 Competence Centre (Scotland)