Gazette 36 - January-April 2017
Contents
Focus on ECML programme developments – "Languages at the heart of learning" (2016-2019)
Latest project developments
"Language awareness in subject classes": participate in an online survey
"Towards a Common European Framework for Language Teachers": latest news
e-lang project in 2016: laying the foundations for a digital literacy in the language teaching and learning context
"Promoting excellence in sign language instruction (PRO-Sign2)": ECML workshop (Graz, Austria, 1-2 March 2017) – cooperation partnership with Moscow State Linguistic University
"A quality matrix for CEFR use": ECML workshop (Graz, Austria, 15-16 November 2016) – Interview with Denis Vigneron, French participant
ECML training and consultancy for member states
Network meeting of local organisers and ECML consultants (Graz, Austria, 7-8 March 2017) and upcoming national training workshops
National training workshop "Supporting multilingual classes" in Slovenia (Koper, 2-3 March 2017)
National workshops "A pluriliteracies approach to teaching for learning" in Malta (Floriana, 2-3 March 2017) and Latvia (Riga, 6-7 March 2017)
Forthcoming events
Recent ECML publication: Language skills for successful subject learning – CEFR linked descriptors for mathematics and history/civics
European Day of Languages
National developments in Armenia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Slovenia, Switzerland
Professional Network Forum of the ECML: upcoming events
Council of Europe developments
The linguistic integration of adult migrants: some lessons from research
Council of Europe Ad hoc Committee of Experts on Roma and Traveller Issues (CAHROM) (ECML, Graz, Austria, 29-31 March 2017)
International Roma Day – 8 April
Pestalozzi programme: creating an online community of action researchers – summer school 2017
Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities: developments in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Finland, Kosovo*, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, Norway, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, "The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia"
Urban policies for inclusive integration and diversity advantage: join the Intercultural Cities 2017 Milestone Event (Lisbon, Portugal, 28-29 November 2017)
Cyprus Chairmanship Conference in Nicosia: "Securing Democracy through Education"
Recent publication
Editorial news from other organisations: Eurostat, Eurydice, OECD, Unesco, Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning, Babylonia
Quick links
Focus on ECML programme developments – "Languages at the heart of learning" (2016-2019)
Latest projects developments
Workshop on language awareness in subject classes
Why participate?
Read the full article written by Marita Härmälä, ECML project coordinator (available in English only)
Participate in the ECML online questionnaire "Language in subjects" (deadline: 30 September 2017)
The online questionnaire targets subject teachers (mathematics, history, science, physical education etc.) and teacher trainers who are experienced in teaching students at the age of 12/13 with a different language background, and/or take an interest in developing their students’ academic, subject specific language. The survey will be followed by a 2-day workshop on 16-17 November 2017 in Graz, Austria.
Towards a Common European Framework for Language Teachers: latest news
Towards a Common European Framework of Reference for language teachers reached a first landmark in September with a network meeting involving 22 specialists from 14 countries. The vigorous discussions and insightful feedback provided plenty of food for thought for team members.
So far, in its preparing a guide to existing frameworks, 50 frameworks of teacher competences have been analysed. The results will also feed into an inventory of competences relevant to language education. The guide and inventory will be made available on a website in late 2017.
- Read the full article written by the project team: English – French
e-lang project in 2016: laying the foundations for a digital literacy in the language teaching and learning context
The e-lang project aims to produce face-to-face and online training modules to develop a digital literacy for the teaching and learning of languages. In 2016, the team defined its methodology through the on-going elaboration of a pedagogical framework and started to produce the first phase of the training modules. In 2017, this first phase will be completed and tested by participants during a workshop in October. The full range of training programme will be available by the end of 2018.
Full article: English – French
"Promoting excellence in sign language instruction (PRO-Sign2)"
ECML workshop (Graz, Austria, 1-2 March 2017)
This professional development workshop brought together 34 teachers of a national or regional signed language on a university or tertiary level programme from 28 countries (member states of the ECML and Russia, Canada). It focused on the elaboration of concepts and materials and provided a great opportunity for the participants to improve their knowledge of CEFR-based development of instructional materials; to work with the European Language Portfolio (ELP) in Sign Language teaching and learning; to use a variety of teaching and learning strategies; and to explore innovative ways to offer materials and exercises.
Cooperation partnership with Moscow State Linguistic University (MSLU)
The ECML has renewed its Memorandum of Cooperation with Moscow State Linguistic University which focuses in particular on cooperation in the area of the ECML project "Promoting excellence in sign language instruction"(PRO-Sign 2).
"A quality matrix for CEFR use"
ECML workshop (Graz, Austria, 15-16 November 2016)
The workshop was an important step in the development of this project. Thirty-five participants from over thirty countries interacted, reflected and worked together on aspects concerning language education at different levels. The event provided an opportunity for participants to concentrate on the notion of quality in education and to see the issues involved with this notion and the opportunities it offers for advances in language teaching and for a more effective implementation of the CEFR able to foster and support curriculum reform.
Interview with Denis Vigneron, French participant
Denis Vigneron, Lecturer in Spanish language at the Higher school of teaching and education (Ecole supérieure du professorat et de l'éducation – ESPE) in Lille Nord, France, was selected to represent France at the workshop "A quality matrix for CEFR use" (Graz, Austria, 15-16 November 2016). He tells us more about his participation and about his involvement in the activities of the ECML.
ECML training and consultancy for member states
Network meeting of local organisers and ECML consultants (Graz, Austria, 7-8 March 2017) and upcoming national training workshops
The meeting provided a platform for local organisers of 12 national training workshops and ECML consultants to clarify issues about the nature of activities (aim, outcomes, scope, format etc.). It focused on 5 of the 10 areas of training and consultancy offered by the ECML.
National training workshop "Supporting multilingual classes" (Koper, Slovenia, 2-3 March 2017)
Innovative methodologies and assessment in language learning, EU – ECML cooperation agreement 2016-2017
Local organiser: Anton Baloh, Osnovna šola Koper / Scuola elementare Capodistria
ECML experts: Brigitte Gerber, Switzerland; Chantal Muller, Belgium
Participants: teachers, teacher educators, school administrators, policymakers, parents
National workshops "A pluriliteracies approach to teaching for learning" (Malta and Latvia)
Malta (Floriana, 2-3 March 2017) – news item: English – French
Latvia (Riga, 6-7 March 2017) – news item: English – French
Forthcoming ECML events
Recent ECML publication: Language skills for successful subject learning – CEFR linked descriptors for mathematics and history/civics
Authors: Eli Moe, Marita Härmälä, Paula Lee Kristmanson, José Pascoal, Meiluté Ramoniené
These resources highlight challenges for young learners in subject classes where the language of instruction is not their first language. The focus is on minimum language standards in history/civics and mathematics for learners aged 12/13 and 15/16. The language descriptors are linked to CEFR levels A2, B1 and B2 and available in six languages.
Resources:
- A PDF publication containing the full study on language descriptors for subject learning
- A website including key information on required language levels in subject classrooms; language descriptors in 7 languages (Catalan, English, Finnish, French, Lithuanian, Norwegian, Portuguese); a short guide for developing similar CEFR-related language descriptors for other subject.
Target users: policy makers, headteachers, teacher educators, teachers.
Languages: website and publication in English, French; resources also available in other languages.
European Day of Languages
The winner of the 2017 EDL t-shirt design contest is Kristína Csicsolová from Slovakia. Congratulations!
You can order your t-shirt now in different sizes and colours.
You can already enter the EDL t-shirt contest 2018: send us your design/image/graphic and have your layout on the official 2018 EDL T-Shirt. More information here.
National developments
Welcome to the new national contact points for the ECML in Armenia, Germany, Poland and Slovenia
The ECML is pleased to welcome four new National Contact Points whose mission is to disseminate information and documentation on the Centre‘s work on a national level:
- Mr Nikolay Israyelyan, Department of International Relations, Yerevan Brusov State University of Languages and Social Science, Armenia;
- Mr Ulrich Franik, Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs, Germany;
- Ms Elzbieta Witkowska, Education Development Center, Warsaw, Poland;
- Mrs Susanne Volčanšek, Zavod RS za šolstvo/National Education Institute, Novo Mesto, Slovenia.
The ECML would like to express its deepest gratitude to Ms Meri Dallakyan (Armenia), Ms Désirée Wittenberg (Germany), Ms Ewa Wieczorek (Poland) and Ms Bronka Straus (Slovenia), for their continuous support and wholehearted involvement in this role during the last years.
Austria
Latest news of the Austrian Centre for Language Competence (ÖSZ), the national Contact Point for the ECML in Austria (in German only): ÖSZ Sprachbox 1/2017 (April 2017)
"Mehrsprachige Lernräume – zur Vielfalt ermutigen, zur Teilhabe befähigen" ("Multi-lingual Learning Spaces – Encouraging diversity, enabling Participation"): European Language Labeling / Language label competition in Austria
Kindergartens, schools, educational colleges, universities of applied sciences, universities, institutions of adult education as well as associations, authorities, municipalities and NGOs are invited to submit their projects and present them to the public.
Conferences of the Austrian Society for Didactics (ÖGSD)
- 9th Graduate Conference of the Austrian Society for Didactics (20 May 2017, University of Vienna)
The aim is to provide a new platform for young researchers in the research field of linguistic didactics, and to network researchers of different philologies, specialist disciplines and teacher training, which examine the subject matter "language" with a didactic-methodological focus.
- Symposium "ÖGSD celebrates its 10th anniversary – Language teaching and learning in Austria" (University of Vienna, 19 May 2017)
The aim of the symposium of the Austrian Society for Language Didactics is to provide an overview of the activities in the Austrian research scene, which has become increasingly diverse in the past 10 years, and to look at future development in this area.
- More information on the ÖGSD website (in German only)
IATEFL LASIG LOCAL Conference 2017: "Learner autonomy: current practice and future developments" (University of Graz, 2-3 June 2017)
Canada
Summer University for FLS/FSL Teachers (University of Ottawa, 10-21 July 2017) for FLS/FSL elementary and secondary teachers of Core French, Extended French, intensive French and French Immersion, teachers of Intensive French and of French as a Foreign Language (FFL). This programme is open to all Canadian teachers and also to teachers from abroad.
Recent publication: Parcours jeunes et FLS – Activités pédagogiques en français langue seconde, niveau B2 – C1 du CECR, by Laura Ambrosio , Miriam Hatabi, Universitiy Ottawa Press.
France
Latest newsletters edited by the International Centre for Pedagogical Studies (CIEP), the national contact point for the ECML in France:
Call for projects on "Languages / Tongues and digital technology 2017"
The Department for the French Language and the Languages of France (Ministry of Culture and Communication) is launching this call for projects to support innovative and/or technological projects on the French language and regional languages in France (including sign language, for example) or linguistic diversity. Applicants can apply for project design and project implementation.
Luxembourg
The University of Luxembourg invites applications for up to 11 PhD positions within the newly established Doctoral Training Unit (DTU) on "Capitalising on Linguistic Diversity in Education" (CALIDIE) in the research field of Multilingualism in Education.
Malta
The Migrant Learners’ Unit Malta advertises ECML events on their Facebook page.
Switzerland
International colloquy:
"The image of languages: 20 years later / L’image des langues : 20 ans après" (University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland, 10-11 November 2017)
The latest FOCUS issues :
Institute for Pedagogical Research and Documentation (IRDP / Intercantonal Conference of Public Education of French-Speaking Switzerland and of Ticino) – Latest publications: 31 March – 12 April | 17-30 March | 3-16 March | 17 Feb-2 March | 3-16 Feb | 20 Jan – 2 Feb | 6-19 Jan | All issues
New series of reports on the evaluation of the Passepartout project, new teaching of French and English in several German cantons
Accompanied by a summary and evaluation in French and German:
Latest issue of the newsletter of the Federal Conference of the Cantonal Directors of Public Education (CDIP), the National Contact Point for the ECML in Switzerland (April 2017): French – German
Professional Network Forum of the ECML
The Professional Network Forum of the ECML is formed of international associations and institutions that share common values and have overlapping expertise in the field of language education and assessment. Under the auspices of the ECML, the members of the Forum share their know-how and work together on areas of common interest in the service of language education.
Members of the Forum: ACTFL, AILA, ALTE, CEL/ELC, CercleS, EALTA, EAQUALS, ECSPM, ECML/Council of Europe, EFNIL, EPA, EUNIC, FIPLV, IAM, ICC, OLBI.
Council of Europe developments
The linguistic integration of adult migrants: some lessons from research
The follow-up of the Council of Europe's LIAM Symposium (Strasbourg, 30 March – 1 April 2016) has been published recently: The linguistic integration of adult migrants: some lessons from research / L’intégration linguistique des migrants adultes – les enseignements de la recherche as an "open access" edition on De Gruyter Mouton’s website.
Council of Europe Ad hoc Committee of Experts on Roma and Traveller Issues (CAHROM) (ECML, Graz, Austria, 29-31 March 2017)
International Roma Day – 8 April
"10 goals for the next 10 years" – Statement of the Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland: English – French
Pestalozzi programme
Pestalozzi series n°5: Creating an online community of action researchers
This book represents an example of a transformational enterprise in which several practitioners from different parts of Europe gather in the Pestalozzi Programme community of practice and set out to learn how to become action researchers. This publication is on action research in action. In addition, it features examples of how participants can use online social platforms and affordable web applications in their collaboration and learning practices.
Summer School on the topic “Competences for a democratic culture: from onlookers to engaged and active citizens” (Bad Wildbad, Germany, 25 June – 2 July 2017)
Framework and course book.
Watch further announcements on the website of the Pestalozzi Programme or on Twitter @pestalozziprog (#sumsch2017).
Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities
Developments in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Finland, Kosovo*, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, Norway, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, "The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia":
* All reference to Kosovo, whether to the territory, institutions or population, in this text shall be understood in full compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.
Urban policies for inclusive integration and diversity advantage: join the Intercultural Cities 2017 Milestone Event (Lisbon, 28-29 November 2017)
The Intercultural cities programme (ICC) of the Council of Europe supports cities in reviewing their policies through an intercultural lens and developing comprehensive intercultural strategies to help them manage diversity positively and realise the diversity advantage.
Call for participants: intercultural cities mayors, other elected representatives & officials; European, regional, & national officials in the field of inclusion/integration; representatives of NGOs, academia, foundations, think tanks, intercultural centres and other stakeholders active in the intercultural integration field.
Cyprus Chairmanship Conference in Nicosia: "Securing Democracy through Education"
These major challenges that education systems are facing in Europe and elsewhere constituted the main topics of the international conference "Securing Democracy through Education", organised in the framework of the Cyprus Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, in Nicosia (22-23 March 2017). The conference provided Ministers with an opportunity to discuss the implementation of the Framework of Competences for Democratic Culture and examined in particular the role of language in helping integration.
Recent publication
Miroirs – Manuel pour combattre l’antitsiganisme par l’éducation aux droits de l’homme: now available in French.
Initial title: Mirrors – Manual on combating antigypsyism through human rights education (2015).
Editorial news from other organisations
Eurostat
Eurostat – Key figures on Europe: 2016 edition
"Foreign language learning: 60% of lower secondary level pupils studied more than one foreign language in 2015. French: second most popular after English": Eurostat press release (23 February 2017)
Eurydice
Support mechanisms for evidence-based policy-making in education
OECD
OECD reviews of school resources: Czech Republic 2016
Pedagogical knowledge and the changing nature of the teaching profession
Nach der Flucht: Der Weg in die Arbeit – Arbeitsmarktintegration von Flüchtlingen in Deutschland (in German only)
PISA 2015 results (Volume II) – Politicies and practices for successful schools
UNESCO
Education for people and planet: creating sustainable futures for all, Global education monitoring report – 2016
Familles apprenantes – Approches intergénérationnelles de l’aphabétisation, 2017 (available in French only)
The futures of learning 2: what kind of learning for the 21st century?, Education, research and foresight: working papers
Literacy in multilingual and multicultural contexts: effective approaches to adult learning and education
Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning
Newsletters edited in January / February / March 2017
Babylonia – The Swiss Journal of Language Teaching and Learning
Babylonia 2017/1 Languages & refugee / Langues & réfugiés / Sprachen & Geflüchtete / Lingue & profughi / Linguas & fugitivs
Babylonia 2016/3 Research and development / Recherche et développement / Ricerca e sviluppo / Perscrutaziun e svilup
Quick links
Council of Europe
Council of Europe news
Directorate of Democratic Citizenship and Participation
European Day of Languages
European Centre for Modern Languages (ECML)
Language Policy Unit
European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages
Pestalozzi Programme
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ECML activities 2017
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