Playful English Erasmus Project

Project Title

Playful English

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 2020

Project Topics

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

Project Summary

CONTEXT
Language learning is, in the context of today’s internationalization and globalization, an essential key competence for individuals to keep up with the fast pace of the developing world. Thus, language competencies become valuable assets for effective communication in the future. Although English is studied from early ages, there are still individuals who cannot cross the barrier of English taught in the school and cannot use it in real-life situations. Studies have shown that foreign languages can be better retained and used by young learners if they learn the content through games and play, which will enhance motivation, stimulate interest and increase proficiency level. Additionally, the choice of appropriate games will build a stronger sense of self-esteem and self-confidence amongst learners, enabling the teacher to devise different contexts in order to use the language meaningfully.
“Playful English” will foster cooperation activities amongst students and teachers in the five partner schools, which will result in a common educational games database to practice and develop language skills over the 2 project years.
OBJECTIVES
O2 to raise young learners’ motivation and active participation in EFL lessons through meaningful learning experiences
O3 to foster the exchange of pedagogical practices amongst EFL teachers in Europe
O4 to provide opportunities for English language teachers’ professional development
O5 to facilitate the linguistic acquisition process and skills’ development at primary school level
O6 to enhance self-esteem and self-confidence in using English within young learners
O7 to boost learners’ sense of tolerance and respect for cultural diversity
NUMBER AND PROFILE OF PARTICIPANTS
The project target group is made up of primary school students aged 6-11; approximately 400 students will be actively part of the project activities through direct participation in the online communication activities and in testing the collection of games during English lessons. Children in this group develop a high level of curiosity about the surrounding world and we consider that we can provide them the opportunity to find the information they need, engage them in a variety of game-based learning activities organized indoor and outdoor, in the traditional way as well as with the support of modern technologies.
Also, this partnership targets the professional development of English teachers and the increase of their motivation for lifelong self-improvement. For teachers, the project will positively impact professional development as they will observe curricular differences and similarities in European education systems, approaches employed in language learning and teaching, introduce variety and stimulating methods in their current teaching.
MAIN ACTIVITIES
C1 – Game-based learning across Europe
C2 – English grammar and vocabulary made fun with online games
C3 – A dynamic game-based approach to teaching reading and writing skills
C4 – Outdoor games to teach English
C5 – Spice up your EFL lessons with games that work
METHODOLOGY
A number of local activities will be implemented besides the training events. During these activities teachers do research on the topics, create their own EFL game-based activities, test them with their target group of students. The self-evaluation process and students’ feedback will be key factors to decide on the most effective games to apply with the foreign students. Participants cooperate with their partners and decide on the format of project products to use in the long term.
RESULTS
Tangible project results will consist of:
– comparative study of EFL curricula and educational system in partner countries
– initial and final questionnaires
– online EFL games platform
– set of lesson plans to apply in EFL at primary level
– themed presentations
– language portfolios for primary level
– project twin space, website, logo and social media page
– feedback forms
– project reports
– regional conferences (at least 5 at partnership level)
– impact and evaluation forms
IMPACT AND LONG-TERM BENEFITS
“Playful English” will generate positive impact at the level of institutions, students, teachers. Students will improve the English language skills and this will be reflected in the improved end-of-year results or while taking part in different competitions.
Schools will benefit from human resource with developed professional skills and increased capacities to design and implement authentic and innovative game-based activities in EFL lessons for students at primary level while being active members of a cooperative, resourceful and creative group of European teachers.
School management teams and teachers will gain valuable expertise in Erasmus+ project management and these competences will represent key elements in setting up future international cooperation projects in the field of education.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 120348 Eur

Project Coordinator

ECOLE ELEMENTAIRE BRAS-FUSIL & Country: FR

Project Partners

• ISIKLI 60.YIL ILKOKULU
• CEIP VILLA PATRO
• OOU “SAID NAJDENI”