European University Tandem Erasmus Project

Project Title

European University Tandem

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 higher education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2015

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Teaching and learning of foreign languages; Open and distance learning; Intercultural/intergenerational education and (lifelong)learning

Project Summary

European University Tandem

Since the project start on 1 October 2015, all project outputs have been realized largely within the envisaged time frames. Until the end of August 2016, two project meetings took place, the kick-off meeting in Frankfurt (Oct 2015) and the second meeting in Barcelona (March 2016). The third meeting in Florence in coming up in September 2016.

The first 6 months, between the Frankfurt and Barcelona meetings, were largely dedicated to
developing a thorough Needs Analysis (O1) and Data Collection within the target groups of potential tandem learners and language teachers (O2). These outputs serve as an important milestone for developing a language learning product catering for the needs of these target groups. The information gathered is feed into the development of the Learner Materials (OS & 06) on one side and the Software & Platform Specifications (O3) on the other. Although, 03 is subject to an ongoing revision process, the basic specifications of the platform framework were finalized in February and briefly presented and discussed in Barcelona.

The Barcelona meeting was largely dedicated to the discussion of the data collected on tandem
experiences and preferences within the target groups, regarding both learners’ material and
platform specifications. Based on these findings, the project team developed a detailed strategy to develop BICS material (OS) within predefined groups across all project partners, including a peer review system. The results will be discussed at the Florence meeting in September.

Since February, the Frankfurt team has begun with the development of the platform (O4). Currently, the video tool and general login & account management features are finalized . Also, work on the matching tool has recently begun. This core feature of the platform was also discussed at Barcelona and a first set of criteria developed. The Frankfurt team was also able to present questions of matching criteria and automatization at the 5th Tandem-Summit at the Leuphana University Lueneburg in June 2016, were a large number of tandem and language learning experts were available to exchange concepts and ideas. This knowledge will be used to develop the first prototype for the EUniTa matching component ready to be tested in the second half of 2016.

Since the Barcelona meeting, a first overview of CALP topics in language learning literature has also been produced by the Frankfurt team, while the Liverpool team has evaluated the information regarding CALP material and learning from the Data Collection (O2). The Frankfurt team has also interviewed academics from several fields regard ing their own experience with foreign languages within their academic careers. Based on these findings, the production of CALP material will be discussed in Florence (O6).

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 304512 Eur

Project Coordinator

JOHANN WOLFGANG GOETHE-UNIVERSITATFRANKFURT AM MAIN & Country: DE

Project Partners

• UNIVERSITAT RAMON LLULL FUNDACIO
• THE UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL
• UNIVERSITE DE POITIERS
• THE UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
• UNIVERSITE DE PARIS-SORBONNE (PARIS IV)
• UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI FIRENZE