lango - contexts and challenges: intercultural competence and multilingualism in a changing europe
DESCRIPTION
Outling the scope, context and challenges of the LANGO EU project. The project (Language on the Go) created a mobile platform for dfitally suported language learning in 4 lesser used languages (Greek, Bulgarian, Russian and Bulgarian). Paper presented at final project conference in Sofia, Bulgaria on 6 December 2013.TRANSCRIPT
Dr. Alan BruceUniversal Learning Systems – Dublin
Sofia, Bulgaria6 December 2013
LANGO – designed to explore opportunities offered by new advanced information and communication technologies to encourage adult learners of less widely used and taught languages.
Interactive language learning approaches are combined with a strong intercultural component so that integrated advanced technological tools motivate language learning and give insights into culture, traditions and everyday habits.
Conceptual backgrounds on multilingualism
Contours of change Interculturalism and the Other Understanding diversity Shaping required competencies Engaging with inclusion - best practice European added value in a time of
crisis
Globalization process and impact
Labor market and workinnovation, competitiveness, adaptability
Paradigms of inclusion equality and diversity
Standards, skill, quality and transferability learning and development in unequal environments
Seismic shift in human relationshipsCompetitive pressuresNew forms of work organizationNew diversities Instant, multidimensional
communicationsAdvanced learning: from mobiles to
MOOCsQuality standards
Patterns of constant change Permanent migration mobility Identity and threat: where are we? Demographic time-bombs Knowledge, innovation and democratic
deficits Minorities and inclusion
InteractionEmpathyCommunicationKnowledge and shared insightsRemoval of prejudiceLinked themes: gender, power, work,
values
Permit exchangeGreater knowledgePresumed growth in tolerance,
acceptance, non-discriminationEnhanced learning
Vladimir Spidla (9.6.08) Promoting tolerance not enough Racism requires policies on
diversity, laws, anti-discrimination measures
Ongoing issues around cost implications, ambiguities, resistance, rights
• Intercultural learning - integral part of language learning and needs greater attention.
• European migration patterns increase number of people required to learn and speak another language.
• Overcoming cultural differences, misunderstanding and disengagement key components of communicative competence.
• LANGO integrates cultural knowledge with language learning to develop mutual accommodation in multicultural societies.
Mutual interaction or structured exclusion?
Linkage to realities or past models?Shared memories or shared hatreds? Integration or exclusion?Access to learningUsing advanced technologiesMobile learning
AbandoningArrivingApplyingAdapting
Integrating in civil societyParamount importance of labor
marketCitizenshipLanguage competenceMulti-agency partnerships
Managing diversity - principles involved
Avoiding conflictAchieving integrationReinventing schoolingDeveloping innovative learningDeriving mutual benefit
Interculturalism trainingMentoring: diversity championsResearched best practice: reviewedLinguistic skillsComfort with difference: trustContact and observational listening
Valued linguistic diversity Community empowerment Mutual benefit ICT-transformed schooling Added value Mobile learning Shared learning Multilingual futures EU funding and support – 2014 and
beyond
Challenging norms - what is our Europe? Challenging stereotypes Talent, competence and communicative
empathy Engagement with difference Embedded vision Recognition - seeing the Other
seeing ourselves
