Immigration is currently a widespread phenomenon in European societies. Many adults are under compulsion to move to the other country due to the lack of employment. Adults when moving to a foreign country, often don’t know even the basics of the local language. It is desirable to offer them language courses with well-trained personnel and innovative methods. The project is aimed to introduce adult’s literacy teachers with innovative methods of learning immigrants foreign languages. It concentrates mainly on the concept of the Flipped Classroom. During the project, it will be explained what the Flipped Classroom exactly is and what are its main strengths. Participants will gain a knowledge about the adult’s education characteristics. Teachers will participate in lectures, practical exercises, activities based on role plays and more. Presentations, various types of information and communication technologies (ICT) and other innovative methods will be used. During the project, discussions will be held to compare participants views, knowledge and experiences associated with teaching adults. Expected outputs (especially in terms of the learning outcomes for the participants and impact on their organisations/institutions): The project aims to provide adult literacy teachers with the knowledge on how to enrich the process of teaching adults foreign languages. Special attention will be given to the technique known as „Flipped Classroom”. At the end of the course, teachers should be provided with following outputs: • Understanding the definition and the concept of „Flipped Classroom”, how to use the concept and why is it useful to teach adults using the concept • Will be given the examples of its usage • Will obtain the knowledge on how to improve the process of teaching adults literacy • Will be provided with an information on how to gain more time during the classes for the practical tasks • Teachers will be able to insert their new knowledge into the organizations/institutions they are working for.
Context/background of the project Immigration is currently a widespread phenomenon in European societies. Many adults are under compulsion to move to other country due to lack of employment. Adults when moving to a foreign country, often don’t know even the basic of the local language. It is desirable to offer them language courses with well-trained personnel and innovative methods. Therefore the project should help adults literacy teachers to improve their skills in teaching adults foreign languages and make the process of learning more effective. The background of the project is mainly based on the idea of the Flipped Classroom which is a new way of teaching. It could improve and accelerate adult education. Objectives The project was aimed to introduce adult’s literacy teachers with innovative methods of teaching immigrants foreign languages. It was concentrated mainly on the concept of the Flipped Classroom. During the project the ideas of the Flipped Classroom and its main strengths were explained. Participants gained the knowledge about the adult’s education characteristics. The aim was that the participants would try to produce materials which would be beneficial to use in language teaching. Number and profile of participating organisations Miðstöð símenntunar á Suðurnesjum (Iceland) Miðstöð símenntunar á Suðurnesjum (MSS) is a self-owned educational institution operated in the southwest of Iceland. The main objective of MSS is to promote and assist in adult education in the community, with special attention to the increase of continuing education, increased personal skills and qualifications, as well as promoting general well being of the population. Speak Europe (Poland) Speak Europe is a language school situated in Warsaw. They teach foreign languages and Polish for foreigners to adult learners. Their staff consists of teachers with sound experience who can see a big need of implementation of new teaching program. The International Language School (Italia) The International Language School has been working in the field of language training for 31 years. Since its foundation (1985), it has been continuously committed to research and improvement of operating processes in language training and communication. It is recognized by the Italian Ministry of Education, and is an examination center of Cambridge University as well as for the Universities of London and Edinburgh. North West Academy of English (North-Ireland) The NW Academy is a private English Language school established in 2003. It is a small family run school with 10 staff and international scope. It is the largest host for students participating in European mobility programme in North Ireland. Paikuse Basic School (Estonia) Paikuse Basic School is a children's school with 450 students and 35 teachers and is the biggest school in Pärnu County. The institution is well equipped with ICT facilities and they use many electronic systems in school management. The teachers use ICT facilities daily in the lessons and the school is known as IT school. Description of undertaken main activities The main activities were connected with creating the language teaching materials using the flipped classroom methodology. Each partner, except Icland, made their own materials that would fit in 12 lessons. Iceland made the materials for 24 lessons. The materials were different between the partners and very many different programs and apps were used by all the partners. Results and impact attained As a result of the project the teachers got a new method in teaching languages to immigrants. The results were also the created materials that the institutions can use further in their teaching. The impact is more diverse teaching that should benefit the learners. The materials are a contribution to a more diverse teaching and we should be able to accommodate different needs of the learners in a better way. If relevant, longer-term benefits The long term benefits are considerable. Because of the project all of the partners‘ institutions have evolved their skills in using the flipped classroom method and are more skilled in using different programs and apps in their language teaching. This knowledge is used after the project end and the institutions are evolving thank to this project.