The main objective of the deutsch.info OLGEA project was to promote a holistic, learner-centred approach to language education by moving German lessons beyond the classroom and into natural or urban settings. More specifically, the aim was to: (1) strengthen teacher competences in outdoor language learning (OLL) by providing practical, accessible resources; (2) increase pupils’ German language proficiency and environmental awareness through hands-on, movement-based learning; and (3) improve the availability of didactic tools for OLL across the EU. The goal was to empower educators to implement sustainable, interdisciplinary methods that support both cognitive and personal development while advancing the integration of outdoor language learning into mainstream educational discourse and practice. Given the limited research in this area, the project also aimed to contribute knowledge through evaluation, documentation, and dialogue - making a contribution to the groundwork for future curricular and policy developments.
The deutsch.info OLGEA project addressed a significant gap in language education: the lack of structured, accessible resources for outdoor-based language learning, especially for teaching German as a foreign language. While the benefits of outdoor learning, such as improved health, motivation, and environmental awareness, are widely acknowledged, few tools effectively integrate it with language instruction. At the same time, concerns about sedentary lifestyles and their impact on student well-being and learning have grown. Schools are seeking ways to better connect education with real-life experiences and make the learning more relevant to everyday life. OLGEA meets this need by providing a complete set of ready-to-use materials and a clear framework that supports teachers in taking language learning outdoors. The project empowers educators with practical tools to offer engaging, movement-rich, and sensory-based lessons that are easy to implement and meet the evolving needs of today’s learners.