Our goal in the project was to increase students' interest in studying foreign languages and to encourage them to continue their chosen language throughout their time in upper secondary school. We set this goal because we were concerned that despite the growing number of students in our school, the number of students selecting optional languages had not increased, but rather decreased. Our aim was for the students participating in the project to experience the benefits of language proficiency in practice. We wanted them to have opportunities to practice their language skills and get acquainted with the local culture. During the mobility periods, we hoped that students' life skills would develop as they independently managed their studies during the exchanges. Additionally, their social skills would improve as they communicated in unfamiliar situations. The goal was for students to experientially understand the benefits of language skills and become motivated to study more. The entire elective language teaching group would benefit from the project by hosting visiting partners from the partner school. Not only individuals and study groups but also the entire school would benefit from the project being showcased in various ways over
At Alppila UpperSecondary School, we have been concerned about an increasing number of students dropping out of their optional language studies. Optional language studies are seen as laborious, and students don't perceive them to be as beneficial for future endeavors such as further studies. Students seem to lack an understanding of the importance of knowing various languages in their current and future lives. The National Core Curriculum for Upper Secondary Schools in 2021 obliges schools to internationalize the students in new ways and provide them with opportunities to develop their international competence as well as knowledge about further study possibilities and the working life. Our school's Global Citizen study programme obliges us to take particular care of our students' internationality. At Alppila UpperSecondary School, we have developed the KKT Passports (internationality, higher education, working life), but in addition to that, genuine engagement with internationality is needed.