Formal / non formal learning

Language learning and teaching in formal and non formal contexts through ICT

The aim of this key dialogue was to analyse, understand and make recommendations of the essential issues on language learning and teaching in formal and non formal context using ITC.

The main partners involved in this Key Dialog were the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), the Youth and European Social Work Forum (the Y.E.S. Forum) , P. A.U. Education (P. A.U) and the University of Luxembourg (UL).

The following activities were acomplished throughout the length of the project

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STUDY

The first joint project carried out by the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) and the Youth and European Social Work Forum (the Y.E.S. Forum) was a transversal study on language learning practices, of which some were supported by ICT.  The aim of the project was to gain a better understanding of the kind of strategies developed, the tools and resources these learners use and the kind of social synergies  support (trainers and teachers, family, friends, etc.) language learning amongst young people with fewer opportunities. Our researched was conducted in six European countries, namely, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy and the United Kingdom. The study "Young people with fewer opportunities learning languages informally: perceptions and uses of ICT and social media" was publised  in an article format.

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WEBINAR

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Forum

A forum discussion,  was open to the public for two months (from July to August 2012) in order to ensure the ongoing discussion that started at the webinar "Empowering future language learners: Formal and informal language learning through social media". The forum will boost dynamic interaction among experts and a broader public. Join us and let your voice to be heard.

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KEY POINTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Key points and recommendations as a synthesis of processes and outcomes resulting from the different interaction spaces (forum and webinar) will be published in September 2012.

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INFORMAL LANGUAGE LEARNING COMPETITION

This competition "Social media in informal language learning and use: Video project - Interviewing adult learners" was launched from January to August 2012 and you can check the official website of the competition here.

This competition aimed to highlight how a language learner in the Web 2.0 era uses social media for language learning in daily life outside formal learning contexts. After sharing interview videos on LS6 vimeo channel, we awarded the individual (interviewee) who share his or her best practice of language learning in informal contexts. The jury finally chose as the winner Claire Apostolidou, a 30 year-old greek young woman from Xanthi.

The winner. Claire, Greece from LS6 network on Vimeo.

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TEACHER COMPETITION

An award winning competition for language teachers.

“Social media in formal language learning contexts” was launched between February and July 2011. The aim of this competition was to identify, valorize and make awards to language teaching initiatives with social networking technologies that take place in classroom settings. Ten best practices can be found here. The winner of the competition is teacher Ceri Anwen James in a Welsh-medium school Ysgol Gyfun Bro Morgannwg from Vale of Glamorgan, Wales (UK).  Click here to discover her passionate practice.

After the announcement of the competition winner, the brochure entitled, “Teaching with social media in classroom settings: Top ten practices from teachers around Europe” was published in January 2012 to be able to share these admirable practices with a broader audience.

KEY DIALOGUE 5: FORMAL & INFORMAL LEARNING

1. In terms of the role of teachers as facilitators of learning in formal and informal settings.

KEY POINT: The current generation of teachers has experienced the benefits of both formal and informal types of education and they can therefore be a useful source of knowledge for students in this respect. The one drawback for teachers is that they may feel insufficiently trained, especially in technological fields. As we might learn from the conclusion of the 10 best practices from the “Teachers’ competition for social media use in formal language learning contexts”, available here, the success of the incorporation of ICT in education ultimately lies in conditions that can make informal and formal learning experiences part of a learning continuum, in which learners play an active role..

RECOMMENDATION: The lack of teacher training in certain areas could be resolved by implementing training programmes which take into account the needs and previous knowledge of today’s learners, particularly by incorporating informal learning practices involving social media in personal, meaningful learning trajectories..

2. In terms of the integration of formal and informal education in a single system.

KEY POINT: Social media are just one form of ubiquitous synchronous and asynchronous networked learning. The challenge today is for formal education to integrate social media into face-to-face classrooms so that the borders between formal and informal education become permeable. As our study Young people with fewer opportunities learning languages informally: perceptions and uses of ICT and social media points out, the learning already taking place in informal settings is not always catered for in formal ones.

RECOMMENDATION: Formal education institutions need to find the right way to accommodate the manner in which informal learning (through social media and in other ways) is already happening and complementing classroom instruction. The following interviews were conducted to document how language learners in the Web 2.0 era use social media for language learning in daily life outside formal teaching contexts, and demonstrate a variety of usages of social media and a broad interest in independent language learning.