Primary International schools together for the exChaNge of Interactive CLIL training Erasmus Project

Project Title

Primary International schools together for the exChaNge of Interactive CLIL training

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: New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses; Inclusion – equity; Teaching and learning of foreign languages

Project Summary

The “Primary International schools together for the exChaNge of Interactive CLIL training – P.I.C.N.I.C.” project is proposed by CREATE Partnership Trust together with four other schools from Portugal, Bulgaria, Italy and Czech Republic. The project is aimed at spreading knowledge of CLIL (Content Integrated Language Learning) and train educators and teachers of non-linguistic disciplines, in particular those working in rural or province areas, to implement bilingual teaching in their classrooms, with different game-based and informal activities. Experiment CLIL to teach English in an EAL context is a urgent issue. Moreover, we want to use CLIL to teach Spanish as foreign language; in partner countries, CLIL will be used to teach English in an MFL context.

Objectives to be pursued act at different levels and scope.

General systemic objectives are to:
-Develop new pedagogical frameworks in bilingual teaching for EFL and EAL
-Spread the practice of integrating bilingual and CLIL teaching in primary schools
-Promote the access to ICT-based learning through innovative OERs
-Enhance digital integration in learning and teaching and improve the use of ICT for both teachers and pupils learning

Specific systemic objectives are to:
-Develop 2 methodological and mentoring guides for implementing CLIL&theatre-based and CLIL&Outdoor-based learning activities for primary school (conceptual approach + 2 yearly plans and the corresponding monthly and weekly planning along with model lesson plan, adapted to the national curricula and practices of each country)
-Create a basis of theme-structured, teacher-designed examples of CLIL learning activities available as OERs on Moodle where training will be provided and that will complete and further develop the methodological guides

General teachers-oriented objectives are to:
-Strengthen the profile of primary teaching profession, supporting teachers to deliver high quality teaching and adopt new methods and tools

Specific teachers-oriented objectives are to:
-Provide web-based training to 200 teachers all over Europe
-Provide face-to-face training to 75 teachers in partner countries

General learner-oriented objectives are to:
-Develop language competences thanks to innovative and learner-centred pedagogical approach

Specific learner-oriented objectives are to:
– Benefit from a multimodal teaching approach that includes ICT, Drama, outdor activities and other varied forms, inter and transdisciplinarity, applications in practical life
– Enhance motivation and child-participation by increasing the number of play-based, child-initiated activities and practical experiences within the CLIL based learning for both EFL and EAL

PICNIC is structured in Work Streams:

WS0 – Project Management

A1 – Preparation

A2 – Implementation

A2 – WS1 – Methodological research to produce the methodological guide on CLIL&Drama following C2
A2 – WS2 – Methodological research to produce the methodological guide on CLIL&Outdoor activities following C4
A2 – WS3 – 3 class-room projects work with learners about “Who we are”, “Sharing the planet” and “How we express ourselves”, following C1, C3 and C5.
A2 – WS4 – LTT activities C1-C2-C3-C4-C5, with 3 teachers participating from each partner country.
C1 in UK focuses on main foreign language delivery in primary schools, with the integration of ICT best practiced exchange and practical introduction web tools. CLIL for EFL and EAL.
C2 in Bulgaria focuses on CLIL on Drama and inclusive and innovative teaching methodologies
C3 in Portugal focuses on CLIL on science subjects, ICT and technology teaching methodologies
C4 in Italy focuses on CLIL in P.E. and healthy lifestyles using Outdoor activities and methods
C5 in Czech Republic focuses on CLIL on personal development, soft-skills, cognitive skills teaching methodologies and will be given the knowledge to structure a CLIL learning unit.

A3 – Evaluation/Dissemination/Follow up (see Follow up section).

Overall, the project will directly involve 75 teachers with different background. 200 will receive the web-based training on Moodle. Around 1000 pupils will be involved in the activities, too: they will participate in the classroom projects and will be the primary recipients of the LUs developed by the teachers during their pedagogical research.
Our success benchmarks are:
50% teachers using CLIL + outdoor and/or theatre on a regular basis in partner schools with bilingual teaching background
20% teachers using CLIL + outdoor and/or theatre on a regular basis in partner schools without bilingual teaching background
+10% improvement in EAD and EFL skills for target group of pupils within 2 years after the end of the project.

Since PICNIC has its main focus on teachers’ training and methodological, holistic research, the project has the highest possible sustainability by itself.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 71983 Eur

Project Coordinator

Create Partnership Trust & Country: UK

Project Partners

• Istituto Comprensivo Pietro Vanni
• Zakladni skola Unicov, Haskova 211, okres Olomouc
• 32 SU s izuchavane na chuzhdi ezici “Sv.Kliment Ohridski”
• Agrupamento de Escolas José Sanches e São Vicente da Beira