It is not always easy to keep the classroom motivated, engaged and enthusiastic when it comes to teaching languages. Using technology in language learning allows students to assume an active role and to communicate and cooperate with their classmates. Technological tools in support of language learning can be used for a variety of purposes such as introducing a new subject or summing up an old one, personalizing lessons and assessing and challenging the students to create their own work in order to engage their creativity and transfer knowledge while also maintaining their students’ full attention. The new edition of the course “Teaching languages in the digital era: the best apps, web platforms and ICT solutions for learning languages” took place in Bologna from 19/05/2024 to 25/05/2024. The participants came from all across Europe, with Ilda and Anabela from Agrupamento de Escolas Emídio Navarro in Portugal, Fatma and Hayriye from Altınordu Ortaokulu in Turkey, two participants coming from two different German schools: Ingun from Evangelisches Gymnasium Meinerzhagen and Elke from Berufskolleg Lindenstr, Cologne, Anne-Dorte from Uddannelsescenter Holstebro in Denmark, participants from two differents schools in Romania: Octavia, Ramona-Teodora-Maria and Karla-Gilda-Elena from „Octavian Goga” Cluj County/ Library and Daniela, Georgiana and Gabriela from Colegiul Național Mihai Eminescu, Buzău, Anna from ZSiPO in Poland and Sanita and Liene from Valmieras tehnikums in Latvia. During the course, given by trainer Martina Granata, participants were able to learn in a practical and simple way how to use a vast range of technological tools and to put them into use by integrating it into their teaching methods. These tools are useful not only for engagement and motivation but also to monitor progress for example in vocabulary learning, communication and individual work.
These tools facilitated various tasks, including creating multimedia quizzes, educational games, and summarizing previous ones. For example, they competed in a live quiz while learning how to create interactive language quizzes by using web applications. Quiz flashcards for instance can be useful to increase students’ vocabulary and spelling skills. They also provided a platform for fostering student creativity, empowering them to produce their own works. The participants also discovered specific platforms that are also very useful for language learning because they allow teachers to add voice notes, questions and voiceovers to educational videos, turning them into lessons. This course allowed participants to confront themselves with each other and learn from their shared experiences. Learning languages can be challenging, however by using the right tools and incorporating technology into the classroom there is no doubt that this can increase motivation, attention, engagement and learning skills while transforming a simple lesson into an immersive experience. Our participants also had the wonderful opportunity to immerse themselves in the captivating city of Bologna and its enchanting surroundings. They embarked on a journey of exploration, discovering the rich cultural heritage, foods, architectural marvels, and historical landmarks that make Bologna truly unique. They matched this educational journey with cultural memories. We want to say thank you for their endless contribution and the joy that they have brought to our class. Hope to see them somewhere in the world again. Discover more about this course here. |
Welcome to the ELA Blog. Here you will find articles and photos of our courses and have a look at the topics addressed during the week in Bologna, Palermo and Tenerife. You will also have the chance to take a peek at our projects and check out what we have been up to.
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