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Language Learning through Interactive Stories in an Intercultural Environment

2020-3-DE04-KA105-0206302020Youth mobilityfinalizedGood practice
Countries: DE|IE · Grant: €11,886
Youth (Participation, Youth Work, Youth Policy)EU Citizenship, EU awareness and DemocracyTeaching and learning of foreign languages

Objectives

There are a lot of objectives we wanted to achieve during the project and most of them focus on developing skills and the mindsets of the participants. Growing intercultural skills and the experience of international cooperation in young people is vital to Europe’s future together. It is also vital to develop their language skills as a basis for cooperation. Experience shows that the effect of letting people engage in international collaboration in a project that is sociable, fun and that teaches co-operation has the best chance of leaving a lasting impression on participants. It is also imoportant to foster an international mindset among young people in order to develop the European idea further. For this reason we planned an event which engaged young participants in an immersive role-playing game, involving them deeply in learning activities while at the same time letting them enjoy one another’s company. Learning focused on intercultural skills, opening the mind to international collaboration and cooperation, and a bilingual language learning approach of English and German. Communication and collaboration during role-playing is vital as well as learning to accommodate and understand different points of view. The conscious focus of the players was on their character and the adventure they were experiencing, so the social and communication learning happened in an unconscious and very fluid manner. We know from a great deal of experience that the best way for people to overcome biases and ignorance is to meet new people who share a common interest, such as playing games together. It relaxes boundaries and everyone begins to speak a common language. So we made sure to provide that kind of atmosphere during the event. We wanted the participants to be fully immersed and train not only language skills but also social skills, communication skills and employability skills. We supported them in bringing what they learned back home and understanding how to integrate in a variety of settings with many nationalities. We believe that the effect of letting people experience international collaboration and hearing languages through play has a very good chance of leaving a lasting impression on the participants. In the project we definitely managed to create an international mindset with our participants. We wanted to contribute to strengthening unions between EU countries, building common bonds and lasting collaborative friendships through this project.

Project partners (2)