The EOL network meeting took place at the ECML in Graz on 20-21 March. The network meeting is a key step for each ECML project as it provides an opportunity to get direct feedback from different experts on tools, resources and developed approaches.

The team carefully selected the participants according to their expertise and geographical professional background. The network meeting brought together teachers from partner schools, school principals, institutional representatives and researchers. The team had also the pleasure to welcome Flore Schank, coordinator of the project Inspiring language learning and teaching in the early years, and Angela Gallagher-Bretts, team member of the project Action Research Communities.

The EOL project is in its third year of development. The concepts are consolidated, the working environment (European network, working platform, forum, etc.) is adapted to the needs. The tools have nearly all been set up, the work on resources has been launched and the research data collection is almost complete.
The drafting of the final publication, the development of the training platform, the labelling process and the dissemination activities (workshop, conference), as well as the training and consultancy offer still remain to be accomplished.

The overall structure of the network meeting was reflected in the seven steps of the EOL training path:

• Step 1: Becoming familiar with Council of Europe values, learning environments and language policies;
• Step 2: Focusing on priorities MATRIX + TrEOL game;
• Step 3: Defining strategies built on case studies per group (Matrix questions);
• Step 4: Browsing for resources;
• Step 5: Testing the masterplan;
• Step 6: Implementing EOL Online training pathways; and
• Step 7: Collaborating.

Most enjoyable was the newly designed TrEOL game; playfully being able to analyse and to discover what is needed in order to create an environment that is supporting language learning and teaching. The main components are structures, people and culture.

The network meeting gave participants the opportunity to share reflections and analyse the project through four key entries:

• modern languages as a key for human ecology (matrix);
• using the card game “TrEOL”, a symbiotic, win-win approach to considering how modern languages can help address key challenges in education;
• interconnections and their role to enhance all “synapsis” of school systems (memos, glossary, resources);
• stakeholders’ and schools’ professional development (indicators, transfer tool and training platform).

If participants support the philosophy of the EOL project and see its benefits in their own working context, there are two types of critical feedback:

• methodology: participants made proposals to make the personal and collective path on learning environments more progressive;
• strategy: participants gave several suggestions on how to improve communication on EOL and to make the different tools more easily accessible.

In the end, the main elements of the project’s dissemination are: making publications user friendly, choosing a progressive approach and selecting easy access resources. The research part and the links to other ECML projects have been deeply appreciated by participants and should find a place in the final publication. The participants’ feedback is very encouraging and gives the team a great inspiration to finalise tools and resources.

The project team:
Jonas Erin (coordinator), Kristin Brogan, Silvia Minardi, Lea Štiberc

Website of the project "Learning environments where modern languages flourish" (available in English, French and German): http://eol.ecml.at/