Didàctica de la Llengua Anglesa.

3r MEI

INNOVATION PROJECTS

1. Some Innovation projects (PELE, PILE, Fonix) and some European

Programmes: Comenius and E-twinning.

1.1 Catalan Innovation Projects

There are several projects which aim at supporting innovative practices in
language teaching in Catalonia:

A) Pla Experimental de Llengües estrangeres (PELE): The programme was set in

motion in 2005 and is addressed to early years and primary education. It aims at
scaffolding and supporting project work, cross-curricular collaboration, oral
language enhancement, early start and CLIL initiatives. All public and private
schools can apply for funding. Its main characteristics are:
 The project needs to be included within the school linguistic project.
 The project needs to be approved by the staff and endorsed by the head
teacher to ensure its continuity.
 Its duration is limited to three academic years.

B) Pla d’impuls de l’anglès (PILE): The programme started in 2007 and it is

addressed to teachers and students alike. It aims at improving English language
proficiency. So far 3,000 primary schools have benefitted from the programme.
- Actions: for teachers: Studying at an EOI and studying abroad in summer schools
- Actions for primary students: Summer camps
- Actions for schools: Language assistants (native speakers from the UK or the
USA who work part-time)

C) The “Fonix Competition” : It was designed to promote the use of English among
students from Year 5 of primary school to Year 2 of upper secondary education,
through a fun and educational competition. It consists of writing and reading
exercises in the first two stages (local, regional) and an oral test on its final stage.
The first competition was held in 2008. For more information log
on:http://www.tv3.cat/videos/2866050
Didàctica de la Llengua Anglesa. 3r MEI

Task 1. Complete the chart below about the innovation projects.

WHAT IS THE WHEN DID WHO IS THE MORE INFORMATION

PROGRAMME  IT START? TARGET
ABOUT? AUDIENCE?
PELE It aims at The It is Its main characteristics are:
scaffolding and programme addressed to  The project needs to be included
supporting was set in early years within the school linguistic project.
project work, motion in and primary  The project needs to be approved
cross-curricular 2005 education. by the staff and endorsed by the
collaboration, head teacher to ensure its continuity.
oral language  Its duration is limited to three
enhancement, academic years.
early start and
CLIL initiatives.
PLÀ It aims at The It is So far 3,000 primary schools have
D’IMPULS improving programme addressed to benefitted from the programme.
English started in teachers and - Actions: for teachers: Studying at an
language 2007 students alike EOI and studying abroad in summer
proficiency. schools
- Actions for primary students:
Summer camps
- Actions for schools: Language
assistants (native speakers from the
UK or the USA who work part-time)
FONIX It was designed The first It is For more information log
to promote the competition addressed to on:http://www.tv3.cat/videos/2866050
use of English was held in students from
and it consists 2008 Year 5 of
of writing and primary
reading school to
exercises in the Year 2 of
first two stages upper
(local, regional) secondary
and an oral test education
on its final
stage.
Didàctica de la Llengua Anglesa. 3r MEI

1.2 European Programmes: Comenius and e-Twinning Partnerships

The Comenius Programme focuses on all levels of school education, from pre-
school and primary to secondary schools. The project broadly aims to help young
people and educational staff better understand the range of European cultures,
languages and values.

1. What is a Comenius Partnership?

Multilateral partnerships are cross-curricular projects that involve at least three
schools or colleges from at least three European countries. They enable staff and
students to work together with international partners for the duration of the two year
partnership.
2. What are the two main actions for schools?
There are two types of funded school partnerships: multilateral (minimum three
eligible schools in three countries) and Bilateral which can only involve two
schools. The duration of both partnerships is two years.
3. What are the main aims?
Improve and increase the mobility of pupils and educational staff across the EU.
Enhance and increase partnerships between schools in different EU Member
States.
Encourage language learning, innovative ICT-based content, services and better
teaching techniques and practices.
Enhance the quality and European dimension of teacher training.
Improve pedagogical approaches and school management.
4. What funding is available?
Funding is awarded as a fixed lump sum amount, based on the number of
mobilities (staff and/or pupils travelling abroad).

The e-Twinning programme belongs to the project called Community for schools
in Europe. Teachers from all participating countries can register and use the e-
Twinning online tools (the Portal and the Desktop) to find each other, meet
virtually, exchange ideas and practice examples, team up in groups, learn together
in Learning Events and engage in online-based projects.
1. What is an e-Twinning project?
e-Twinning is a European programme in which schools from at least two different
European countries create a project and use Information and Communication
Technologies (ICT) to carry out their work. As schools communicate and
collaborate via the Internet, there are no grants or administrative conditions
connected to the scheme and face-to-face meetings are not required.
Didàctica de la Llengua Anglesa. 3r MEI

2. What can I do in an e-Twinning project?

You can work on any topic. Projects should have a good balance of ICT use and
classroom activities, and should preferably fit into the national curricula of the
participating schools.
3. Who can participate?
An e-Twinning project can be carried out by two or more teachers from schools
across Europe. Collaboration can be within the same subject or cross-curricular
through the use of ICT. Pre-school, primary, secondary and upper secondary
schools can all participate (age range of pupils, 3-19).
4. Which countries are part of e-Twinning?
e-Twinning applies to the Member States of the European Union. In addition, the
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Iceland, Norway and Turkey can also
take part.

Task 2. Bring out the differences and similarities between Comenius and e-
Twinning programmes:

DIFFERENCES SIMILARITIES
One aim of the Comenius partnership
Comenius Partnership involve at least programme is encourage language
three schools or colleges from at least learning, innovative ICT-based content,
three European countries. services and better teaching techniques
E-Twinning involve at least schools from and practices.
two different European countries. The projects in an e-Twinning should
have a good balance of ICT use and
classroom activities, and should
preferably fit into the national curricula of
the participating schools.
The Comenius Programme focuses on
all levels of school education, from pre-
school and primary to secondary
schools.
The e-twinning focuses on pre-school,
primary, secondary and upper
secondary schools (age range of
pupils, 3-19).
Didàctica de la Llengua Anglesa. 3r MEI

Final Project: Go to e-Twinning, next click on Get inspired, next click on

Projects and Learn more. Have a look at projects designed to work on English
language at Early Years. Choose one of them and be prepared to explain it to your
classmates and your teacher in groups.
Pupils learned how to take care of dogs and that they have to help homeless
animals.
Also they learned to work together, to share and to use the computer better.
Also they learned a lot of songs and poems in English and they also developed
theirICT skills.