Expanding Content and Language Integrated Learning by Using Technologies Erasmus Project

Project Title

Expanding Content and Language Integrated Learning by Using Technologies

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 Schools Only

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2017

Project Topics

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

Project Summary

The project brought together 3 European schools – in Latvia, Estonia and Italy, to experience the benefits of content and language integrated learning (CLIL) and ICT in different contexts to enrich partners’ mastery and effective use of innovative teaching-learning methods supported by technologies. The project was enhancing teachers’ and students’ opportunities to share knowledge and learn new skills through collaboration.
In whole about 500 students were directly involved in the project by participating in joint lessons (using Skype in the classroom), about 40 teachers collaborated to prepare and provide 18 joint lessons, 60 gymnasium level students participated in the short-term learning activities (and creating a movie) and about 50 teachers – in joint training activities during mobilities.
The project combined online and face-to-face learning activities for both students and teachers. Online: 18 joint Skype in the Classroom lessons were prepared and provided in different subjects using CLIL methodology (monthly); all meetings were online (no traditional Transnational project meetings). Face to face mobilities were targeted on students and teachers learning activities separately: three exchange mobilities were planned and organised for 5 students from each visiting country and 10 hosting students (20 students directly involved in each 5-day Mobility). They learned together in CLIL classes and made a movie; three joint training mobilities were planned and organised for a subject teacher and an English teacher from each visiting partner and at least 6 hosting teachers (5-day training), attracting even more teachers from the particular country.
Each partner provided training for teachers in CLIL and ICT according to their strengths and capacity to attract professionals who contributed teachers’ proficiency.
The project was innovative for all 3 schools involved in the project because of regular collaborative lessons via Skype in the Classroom that provided an opportunity for many students to learn together with students from different countries and for teachers – to collaborate with partners on daily bases, develop teaching methods, materials and experience. Use of technologies broke down barriers between both students and teachers. Use of Skype in the Classroom was a relatively new pedagogical practice in Europe (and new in all involved schools) and was lacking strong methodology but it was developed during the project. Creative activity – movie was jointly made by students – was targeted to develop students’ potential to use English in real situations and shared responsibility that is crucial for 21st century learning. This fostered student centered learning and strengthened students’ media competence.
Creating movies, participating in workshops and traveling gave teachers and students better possibilities to develop European mindset, learn new cultures, share best practices in digital cooperation,learn about different career opportunities and also about migration issues and culture.
The desired impact of the project was increased national and European understanding of the potential of CLIL for education and purposeful integration of ICT in schooling. By introducing CLIL methodology education process at school became more modern and dynamic, related to real learning and life situations, students’ skills and abilities were developed in compliance with labour market needs, more teachers had a clear vision how to implement CLIL in their classes.
Besides, increased awareness of students, teachers and communities about capacity of schools to contribute 21st century learning and network of schools that were able and willing to share learning and progress was created during the project.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 61600 Eur

Project Coordinator

Rigas Anglu gimnazija & Country: LV

Project Partners

• istitito di istruzione superiore “M. Bartolo”
• Pelgulinna Gymnasium