Exploring the Endless Possibilities of an Interdisciplinary Approach to Language Learning Erasmus Project

Project Title

Exploring the Endless Possibilities of an Interdisciplinary Approach to Language Learning

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 : School Exchange Partnerships

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2019

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Intercultural/intergenerational education and (lifelong)learning; Teaching and learning of foreign languages; Key Competences (incl. mathematics and literacy) – basic skills

Project Summary

Over the course of two years, forty five pupils (aged 10-11 years old) and nine teachers will travel to Italy, France and Scotland where they will take part in a skills-based masterclass series of activities.
A significant development need in the area of interdisciplinary planning in modern languages was identified. A project committee of teachers from Italy, France and Scotland was established by the Project Lead. Curricular areas were identified and teachers were invited to suggest areas within their host countries where best practice could be demonstrated. Expertise within establishments was indentified to ensure a broad progression of skills.
The idea for the project evolved during discussions with eTwinning partners and through work with schools for the European Day of Languages. Pupils and teachers enjoyed the experience and the learning outcomes were significant for all. As a result we decided to collaborate on an ambitious project that would encompass IDL and Language Learning.
The objectives of the project are to ensure high quality, progressive learning experiences in Languages and an array of skills for pupils through the delivery of interdisciplinary Masterclasses. This way of providing these learning opportunities is through a ‘Skills Academy’ approach, which provides a range of interdisciplinary experiences that can facilitate the development of the core skills required for success as pupils transition through school and into the world of work. This method of delivery will provide an increasing number of opportunities for learning and development and therefore provide development opportunities for a number of transferable skills that support the learning journey of all pupils.
We envisage that the project will directly incorporate the Scottish Government’s lifelong skills strategies which are managing time, planning and organising, communication (oral and written), solving problems, undertaking tasks at short notice, working with others, thinking critically and creatively, learning and continuing to learn, taking responsibility for own development, managing and being managed by others.
We want to enable our pupils to create, manipulate and use language for themselves rather than merely learning by rote.
All skills for learning based on Anderson’s version of Bloom’s Taxonomy (2000) of higher order thinking skills will be reinforced, i.e. remembering; understanding, applying, analysing, evaluating and creating. Adult Participants will be the Project Leads from each school (3), who are also Language Leads, 6 Class Teachers and the 3 Head Teachers (or their representative). In consultation with one another, teachers and pupils will plan a series of lessons with a particular focus. These lessons will include a range of subject areas: local area studies, food, culture, art and creativity, healthy minds and bodies and design and digital technologies.
Pupils will participate in workshops – sharing experiences and best practice within their particular setting with others, formally and informally. Teachers will implement new strategies and be motivated to embark on an educational learning journey which will progress the aims of the project.
They will embrace new initiatives, fresh approaches and establish clear goals to succeed. They will also experiment with a variety of learning styles and scenarios and demonstrate an openness to innovative practice.
All participants will contribute something new to their schools on their return to motivate others, with the emphasis on language learning, cultural diversity, European citizenship and social inclusion. Experiencing stimulating opportunities for language learning in an interdisciplinary, inclusive and accessible way will equip pupils with valuable life-skills. Their ability to cope with new challenges will be greatly enhanced, and their cultural horizons will be broadened.
On their return, pupils will share their learning with the wider school community and beyond, thereby enriching their school’s curriculum. The experience will give teachers a bank of effective and engaging ideas to encourage active and inclusive learning across the curriculum and facilitate excellence in the primary languages classroom. The project supports the ethos of Erasmus+ Language and literacy development in language learning. Cognitive skills and intercultural awareness will all be enhanced for pupils, staff and the wider community as the project progresses and is disseminated across the campus and beyond.
Our project will create opportunities to interact with each other, as well as with adults in paired or group work. Pupils will also extend their knowledge and reinforce what they already know in a meaningful, rich and diverse way which will challenge and inspire them to continue with their language learning journey into the Senior Phase and beyond.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 98995 Eur

Project Coordinator

Neilston Primary School & Country: UK

Project Partners

• Scuola Secondaria di Primo Grado Bonito Cosenza
• L’Ecole Madame de Sevigne