Digital transition of Lithuanian language and culture courses Erasmus Project

Project Title

Digital transition of Lithuanian language and culture courses

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 : Partnerships for Digital Education Readiness

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2020

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Open and distance learning; Teaching and learning of foreign languages; ICT – new technologies – digital competences

Project Summary

Promoting Lithuanian identity and culture worldwide is among national priorities of Lithuania, focusing on both the unique heritage and integrity with the Baltic region. Since 2020, the First Lady of the Republic of Lithuania is patronizing Lithuanian education worldwide, whereas digital education constitutes more opportunities to connect, learn and grow. Digitalisation of Lithuanian language and culture (LCC) education is promoted by Digital Agenda of the Republic of Lithuania which aims to foster Lithuanian culture and the Lithuanian language by means of ICT. Moreover, digitalisation of education on the European level is supported through EC Digital Education Action Plan (2021-2027) which proposes a set of initiatives for high quality, inclusive and accessible digital education in Europe. Hence, the project aims to strengthen the capacity of LCC educators in HEIs to provide high quality interactive and inclusive digital education.

The following specific objectives are outlined to reach the aim of the project: *Develop digital pedagogical competence of Lithuanian language and culture teachers in Europe; *Support educators with high quality digital content and training materials; *Facilitate digital mechanisms to deliver the training course(s).

The project targets LCC educators such as Lithuanian language teachers in HEIs with subjects of Baltic studies, and Lithuanian language schools abroad both public and private, formal and informal education. Additionally, the project targets students and researchers studying Baltic subjects, with LCC among them. There is a growing number of almost 40 Centres of Baltic Studies worldwide with more than 500 students researching the subject annually. More than 200 schools abroad are teaching Lithuanian language to almost 10k students.

The project will develop digital pedagogical competence of LCC teachers in Europe by designing the specific methodology for online and blended learning (IO1) based on good practices of partners and stakeholders as well as by developing guidelines on ICT use in such training (IO2), reflecting on managing and engaging large number of multicultural groups. The project will support HEIs with high quality digital content and training materials by developing open resource materials for LCC education to be used both in studies, intensive training courses and individually by learners as the project will produce a set of reading, tasks, assessment and digitalised content on language (IO3) and culture (IO4) education for beginners and advanced users. Moreover, the project will launch an open online education platform for delivering the training course(s). An open source software-based platform (IO5) will allow managing the participants, their learning progress and achievements while the guidelines on virtual mentoring (IO6) will facilitate the work of mentors and training programme administrators.

The project gathers experts in the fields of Baltic studies and teaching Baltic languages to showcase their best practices. diLILAC is implemented as a joint effort of 6 HEIs from Lithuania, Estonia, Finland, Sweden, Poland and IT partner from Germany. Numerous online workshops are foreseen to exchange good practices, involve stakeholders, and validate results. The outputs will be piloted during Baltic Summer University and Intensive LCC Winter course – an annual event since 2001 which attracted over 1500 participants from 32 countries so far.

The results of the project will feature several focal aspects, like language teaching online, technology in approaching language teaching, short-term initiatives, language teaching as a means to maintain connections with the diaspora, language teaching for foreigners, the most relevant developments in the trends of Baltic languages and their pedagogy. The project will increase digital pedagogical competence of staff in participating schools and open digital learning opportunities for the target groups worldwide. The outputs will promote an inclusive approach to cooperation activities, such as higher percentage of under-represented and disadvantaged groups; participation in non-formal Lithuanian language and culture studies; development of flexible distance learning formats, customization of the training. The project is a blueprint on managing mobility obstacles such as pandemic and ensuring efficient and continuous education for students, teachers and researchers, including those with fewer opportunities.

By increasing digital learning opportunities on Lithuanian language and culture, HEIs strengthen their capacity to educate and raise self-aware, multicultural and tolerant generations. Thus, the project reinforces local Lithuanian communities, helps strengthening the ties among the Baltic countries, and supports expansion of Baltic study centres worldwide. The project constitutes an exceptional added value for foreigners as well as involvement of diaspora in the field of LCC education.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 250370 Eur

Project Coordinator

VYTAUTO DIDZIOJO UNIVERSITETAS & Country: LT

Project Partners

• UNIWERSYTET JAGIELLONSKI
• STOCKHOLMS UNIVERSITET
• E-Training Solutions UG
• HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
• UNIWERSYTET WROCLAWSKI
• TALLINN UNIVERSITY