Language Learning in the Digital Age

Course overview

In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, language learning can no longer be confined to traditional methods. This immersive 5-day course is designed to equip language teachers with innovative strategies and digital tools to create engaging and interactive learning experiences that resonate with today’s learners.

The course will delve into the importance of integrating Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools in the language classroom, exploring the benefits of e-learning and blended learning approaches. Participants will gain insights into current statistics, best practices, and examples that showcase the advantages of incorporating digital resources, both at a personal and professional level.

Emphasis will be placed on developing presentation skills using online presentation software, enabling participants to create interactive presentations, incorporate quizzes and polls, and keep students engaged. Participants will learn techniques to assess student understanding and provide targeted explanations based on real-time feedback.

The course will explore the power of using music and movies as language learning tools, providing tips on selecting appropriate materials based on students’ profiles, language levels, and needs. Participants will learn how to design engaging activities centered around songs and films, fostering language acquisition through immersive and culturally relevant experiences.

Participants will also discover the potential of educational videos in language teaching, learning how to integrate comments, questions, and interactive elements into existing videos or creating their own engaging content. This hands-on approach will empower participants to captivate students and enhance their learning experiences.

Additionally, the course will introduce participants to a range of language learning apps and digital resources, enabling them to enhance vocabulary, grammar, and language acquisition skills both inside and outside the classroom. Participants will learn how to leverage these tools to facilitate interactive quizzes, connect with native speakers, and foster a collaborative and engaging learning environment.

To enhance the learning experience and provide a cultural context, the course will incorporate a guided visit to a local museum, heritage site, or eco-conscious initiative. This visit will allow participants to explore the cultural richness of the area, draw inspiration from sustainable practices, and gain insights into incorporating inclusive and green dimensions into their language teaching methodologies.

Tentative schedule:

Day 1: Embracing the digital age in language learning

  • Icebreakers and networking activities
  • Introduction to the course and participants
  • Overview of the course methodology and expectations
  • Exploring the importance of ICT tools in the language classroom
  • Understanding e-learning and blended learning approaches
  • Group discussions: Sharing personal experiences and challenges in language teaching

Day 2: Mastering presentation skills for engaging language lessons

  • Improving presentation skills using online presentation software
  • Creating interactive presentations with quizzes and polls
  • Assessing student understanding and providing targeted explanations
  • Hands-on activities: Designing interactive language presentations

Day 3: Language learning through music and movies

  • Leveraging music and movies for language learning
  • Selecting appropriate materials based on student profiles and language levels
  • Designing engaging activities centered around songs and films
  • Cultural visit (e.g. museum, heritage site) guided in English to explore local heritage and sustainability practices
  • Group activity: Discussion about possible content inspired by the cultural visit

Day 4: Harnessing the power of educational videos

  • Integrating educational videos in language teaching
  • Creating engaging videos or incorporating interactive elements
  • Hands-on activities: Developing video-based language lessons
  • Peer review and feedback

Day 5: Exploring language learning apps and digital resources

  • Discovering language learning apps and digital resources
  • Enhancing vocabulary, grammar, and language acquisition skills
  • Facilitating interactive quizzes and connecting with native speakers
  • Course evaluation and feedback
  • Certification ceremony

The classes typically run from 9 in the morning to 2 in the afternoon, with the afternoon and evening reserved for self-reflection and individual study. However, the course schedule may be adjusted to accommodate the preferences of the participants and the availability of instructors or external learning locations. Participants will receive the finalized schedule well in advance, allowing ample time for preparation and planning.

Learning outcomes:

The participants will be able to:

  • Analyze the importance of integrating ICT tools in the language classroom and the benefits of e-learning and blended learning approaches.
  • Develop engaging and interactive presentations using online presentation software, incorporating quizzes, polls, and real-time feedback mechanisms.
  • Utilize music and movies as language learning tools, selecting appropriate materials and designing engaging activities that foster language acquisition.
  • Integrate educational videos into language teaching, creating engaging content or incorporating interactive elements to captivate students.
  • Explore and implement language learning apps and digital resources to enhance vocabulary, grammar, and language acquisition skills.
  • Facilitate interactive quizzes, connect with native speakers, and foster a collaborative and engaging learning environment using digital tools.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of various digital tools and resources in language teaching and adapt them to meet the specific needs of their educational contexts.
  • Collaborate with fellow language teachers to share best practices, strategies, and resources for integrating digital tools and innovative approaches in language teaching.
  • Incorporate cultural elements and inspiration from local heritage and sustainable practices into their language teaching methodologies, promoting inclusive and environmentally conscious practices.
  • Develop a comprehensive action plan for integrating digital tools and innovative approaches into their language teaching practices, fostering engaged and effective language learning experiences.

Course fee:

  • 400 euro per participant (covered entirely by the Erasmus grant)

Course fee includes:

  • At least 25 hours of course content;
  • Course materials;
  • Certificate of participation;
  • Europass, on request;
  • Learning / Mobility Agreement;
  • Visits to local institutions, if available;
  • Personalized support;
  • Free high-speed WIFI internet at the POU Čakovec premises;
  • Refreshments;
  • Administration costs;
  • Dissemination materials.
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