Medieval villas, sustainable development studies and town twinning in the EU Erasmus Project

Project Title

Medieval villas, sustainable development studies and town twinning in the EU

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 2018

Project Topics

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

Project Summary

CGNM, Balbriggan, is a co-educational, multi-denominational school. We have an CLIL (Content Language Integrated Learning) system in place where all subjects are taught through the medium of Irish, our students’ second language. Currently there are 330 students and 25 teachers .Our school ethos places great importance on the value of inclusion and equal opportunity/access to educational opportunities for all. We incorporated a new subject named “Medieval Villages sustainable development studies and town-twinning in the EU ” into the Transition Year curricula of 2 high schools: 1 in newly opened Ireland, Balbriggan’s Coláiste Ghlór Na Mara-CGNM (17 students ) and 1 in Ribadavia, Galicia-North of Spain, IES O Ribeiro (15 students a year). We aim to educate our students in the EU Ethos and provide for the skills development of students; new methodologies for teachers and an international window of opportunities within the frame of the EU to both the involved schools and their villagess. We will implement the study of the 2 minority languages (Gaelic and Galician) during the classes at school. Gaelic, Galician, English and Spanish will be used during international communications and mobilities. The subject will be implemented in a cross-curricular form which will involve several teachers of subjects in each school so a total of 30 pupils a year adding both countries, 60 at the end of the program in February 2020 and a team of teachers committed to the project for the 18 months duration, and its continuation either with the same subject on a sponsorship basis or applying for a new Erasmus action. a The program will be implemented from September 2018 to February 2020 and will be assessed through interview, examinations and presentations. Both schools have agreed to maintain the subject and transnational collaboration after 2020. The newly opened CGNM, lacks of international programs or Erasmus + activities. In 2016/17 CGNM had difficulty in integrating among the communities due to its geographical location (outskirts of the town) and due to the socio-economic background of some students. This project is an attempt to introduce EU resources and values into this community starting with this first project; especially in these Post-Brexit times. The selection of the school in Ribadavia-Spain was not forced nor casual. Mrs Carly Nic Curtha, Balbriggan’s Transition Year Coordinator in 2017, has been looking for a twin town with strong Medieval, heritage and a bilingual background to implement a real cultural research project in order to use the studies as a strategy for social integration in his school, village and region. The research and study of the common historical Medieval background and the future of heritage elements as a source for economic development, will configure the main part of the project. This study will be uniquely carried out by using endangered languages, Gaelic and Galician, without disregarding English and Spanish. New and innovative methodology, ICT and teaching and learning techniques will make this Erasmus + project singular and innovative at the same time.Students will study,promote and communicate in four languages in total. They will develop their language capabilities. The students will learn fabout the culture, language and medieval history of the areas and immerse themselves among the people and towns of Ribadavia and Balbriggan. It is our aim to develop both students’ and staff ICT skills through the use of communication tools e.g.Skype and through social media communication. We will encourage the introduction and use of new ICT/AV tools in order to carry out research and work on the school blogs. The teaching staff will work co-operatively to promote an understanding of the EU ethos and values where students fostered friendships with students of a similar age. We will promote a love of travelling and belonging to the E.U. The school blogs/social media campaigns/videos will be used for dissemmination of our Erasmus+ project whilst also providing platforms to raise the profile of the teaching profession/schools within the wider communities. This will also be achieved through co-operation with the two town councils/Mayors. Both schools and town councils have agreed to maintain the transnational cooperation after on completion in February 2020. Our plan for the future was to apply for town-twinning. The project will be inclusive of all students especially those experiencing financial and social obstacles and a small number with significant educational difficulties. All students engaging in the project will be set work tailored to their abilities and will be assessed based on their individual needs/abilities.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 36373 Eur

Project Coordinator

Coláiste Ghlór na Mara & Country: IE

Project Partners

• Instituto de Educación Secundaria O Ribeiro