Le Chéile/ Entre-nous Erasmus Project

Project Title

Le Chéile/ Entre-nous

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: Cultural heritage/European Year of Cultural Heritage; Creativity and culture; Key Competences (incl. mathematics and literacy) – basic skills

Project Summary

This project has, as its central tenet, the horizontal priority of the social and educational value of European cultural heritage with the objective of exchanging best practice in music education through foreign language acquisition ( in our case French/ in the Belgians case English). In this strategic partnership with the EEBIV School Brussels and Scoil Phadraig Westport, we will raise awareness of the importance of our common European cultural heritage through each other’s music and language. European classical music shall be explored in French for us and Irish traditional music shall be explored in English for the Brussels students. In this exchange, which involves both pupils and teachers as music and language learners it shall be realised that education is for lifelong learning. It is our aim too, to develop this programme in the contexts of formal, informal and non-formal learning by learning some of each other’s music skills through French and English. In this way, our exchange programme in music and language learning also support specific skills development, social inclusion, critical thinking and the commonality of our European heritage. This new participatory educational initiative is a transnational approach to heritage as intercultural dialogue is fostered between our schools. 30 pupils and 7 staff members will travel to the EEBIV school in Brussels in 2019 and in return, 30 pupils and 7 staff members will visit Westport in 2020. During Scoil Phadraig’s stay in Brussels and the EEBIV stay in Westport the objectives for this school exchange programme are 3 fold: Educational. Personal and Long-Term.
In EDUCATION: the objectives and concrete results aimed for are:
Acquire an understanding of musical heritage in a context of acceptance and understanding of different cultures (Westport shall learn some classical music and the Belgians shall learn Irish music).
Language skills (for Scoil Phadraig in French and EEBIV Brussels in English) shall be achieved through practical immersion.
We, children and teachers will become aware of alternative, multi-faceted approaches to learning.
By teachers learning, the children shall become aware that education is a life-long process.
A practical approach to analytical and problem-solving shall be realised.
PERSONAL: The objectives and concrete results aimed for are:
Self-development and awareness leading to enhanced self-confidence and self-esteem. Research shows that this is often the most noticeable change in returned exchange students.
Maturity and social poise, fuelled by the necessity to confront challenges outside a familiar support network and comfort zone.
Integration into another school community as well as the development of life-long friendships, fostering an appreciation of home, family, national identity and European citizenship.
A tremendous sense of accomplishment upon completion encourages students to develop independent opinions, make informed decisions and strive to attain fresh goals.
LONG-TERM
We aim to encourage students to go on to tertiary studies and to consider Erasmus exchange during this time.
Prospective employers in almost every field look favourably upon experience gained while living overseas and knowledge obtained of another language and culture.
Increased pressure to communicate and relate to others develops an awareness of group dynamics and personal sensitivity towards others.
Successful program completion represents an excellent measure of personal flexibility, encompassing an ability to reach compromise, focus and succeed through challenging times.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 52030 Eur

Project Coordinator

Scoil Phádraig & Country: IE

Project Partners

• European School of Brussels IV (Laeken)