The main objective of the project was to develop a comprehensive Game-Based Foreign Language Education Program to provide foreign language education using methods suitable for the development of children in early childhood. We aimed to carry out education with games in a natural environment, support children's language proficiency and development, and strengthen the professional development of teachers. The project sought to reinforce studies through family participation activities and raise awareness among all stakeholders. We aimed to develop a program that was evidence-based, child-centered, inclusive, and accessible, incorporating a holistic approach that centred on games and foreign language learning, suitable for early childhood education. Additionally, we aimed to establish transnational cooperation, build a strong partnership, implement a multidisciplinary approach, and combine good practices across participating institutions from six European countries.
We applied for this project because project partner schools and the kindergarten affiliated with Modurmal were providing foreign language education to early childhood children, but significant needs emerged in the fields of children, teachers, families, educational environments, and education programs. The primary needs we identified included eliminating children's indifference towards foreign languages and making acquired knowledge permanent, providing foreign language education aligned with early childhood developmental characteristics, creating concrete application areas for students, and supporting children's awareness of other languages and cultures. We also recognized the critical need to strengthen teachers' competencies and qualifications, develop a holistic and scientific foreign language education program, organize educational environments effectively, and ensure the integration of individuals with fewer opportunities while providing foreign language education accessible to all children. Additionally, we aimed to address the growing need for distance education capabilities in the digitalized world and support family participation studies to ensure continuity of education outside school settings.