Lefkaserasmustraining2017

Center for the Study of the Hellenic Language and Culture

University of Ioannina

Dr Alexandra Galani

Foreign Languages Centre

Dr Theodora Tseligka University of Ioannina October 2017

Center for the Study of the Hellenic Language and Culture

University of Ioannina

Foreign Languages Centre

PREFACE Our dedication and our experience in teaching foreign/second languages in Higher Education as well as our former participants’ positive testimonials have inspired us to organise the third consecutive Staff Week Training under the Erasmus+ framework on the topic of “New opportunities and challenges in teaching foreign languages”.

Once again, we sought to create an interactive environment investigating topics related to intercultural as well as distance language learning, the use of web tools in foreign language teaching, the challenges in running foreign languages centres and labs, in addition to their role in the internationalisation of Higher Education.

Academic instructors, university professors and administrative staff involved in the organisation of language programmes were given the opportunity to enrich both their theoretical knowledge and skills in practical workshops as well as to exchange ideas and best practices. Our participants also gained rich and invaluable experiences through our cultural and educational fieldtrips.

We have no doubt that the Erasmus+ Staff Training Week constitutes an appropriate forum not only for exchanging novel ideas and acquiring new experiences and cutting-edge knowledge but also for networking and developing future collaborations.

We are looking forward to seeing you in our next Erasmus+ Staff Training Week.

Dr Alexandra Galani Senior Teaching Fellow

Dr Theodora Tseligka Senior Teaching Fellow

Center for the Study of the Hellenic Language and Culture

Time 9:30 – 10:30

10:30 – 11:30

Activity Welcoming University of Ioannina

University of Ioannina

Foreign Languages Centre

MONDAY, 26/06/2017 Convenor Prof. Georgios Kapsalis, Rector Prof. Andreas Fotopoulos, Vice-Rector

Foreign Languages Centre

Theodora Tseligka, University of Ioannina

Center for the Study of the Hellenic Language and Culture

Alexandra Galani, University of Ioannina

Participants’ presentations

Mr Filippos Kourtis, Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Lefkada Vasiliki Anagnostopoulou, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Richard Bale, Brunel University London Judith Barna, COMUE Lille Nord de France Angelica Carlet, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya Meg Cassamally, Daniela Cundró, Julie Donald, Barbara Guttuso, Teresa Villani University of Siena Myra Evans, Università di Firenze

11:30 – 12:00 12:00 – 13:30

Coffee break Participants’ presentations Discussion

Iwona Frankiewicz, Wrocław University of Technology and Science Kristin M. Johannsdottir, Ingibjorg Sigurdardottir University of Akureyri Katarzyna Lanucha, University of Cambridge Timea Németh, University of Pécs

14:00 19:00

Guided tour

Pasi Puranen, Aalto University Lunch with the Organising Committee Lefkas town

Center for the Study of the Hellenic Language and Culture

University of Ioannina

Foreign Languages Centre

Center for the Study of the Hellenic Language and Culture

Time

Activity

University of Ioannina

Foreign Languages Centre

TUESDAY, 27/06/2017 Convenor

09:15 – “When a local project 10:15 international: The Italian Olympics”– Discussion 10:15 – Intercultural language teaching 11:30

becomes Invited speaker: Language Enrica Rossi, University of Urbino Carlo Bo

Alexandra Galani, University of Ioannina Theodora Tseligka, University of Ioannina

11:30 – Coffee break 12:00 12:00 – CLIL 13:30 13:30 – Discussion 14:00 14.00

Lunch- Free time

15:30

Educational fieldtrip: Ancient Nikopolis, Preveza

Alexandra Galani, University of Ioannina Theodora Tseligka, University of Ioannina

Center for the Study of the Hellenic Language and Culture

Time

Activity

University of Ioannina

Foreign Languages Centre

WEDNESDAY, 28/06/2017 Convenor

09:15 – Use of Web tools in foreign language 11:15 teaching

Alexandra Galani, University of Ioannina Theodora Tseligka, University of Ioannina

11:15 – Coffee break 11:45 11:45 – Distance foreign language teaching 13:45 and learning 14.00

Lunch - Free time

15:30

Educational fieldtrip: Skorpios and Meganisi

Alexandra Galani, University of Ioannina Theodora Tseligka, University of Ioannina

Center for the Study of the Hellenic Language and Culture

University of Ioannina

Foreign Languages Centre

The use of web tools in foreign language teaching as imprinted in our participants’ questionnaire responses With respect to the use of Web tools, most of our participants were familiar and adept in the use of the latest technological tools in language teaching and learning. Yet, as becomes obvious in table 1 below, the most widely used tools remain the slide-presenting or reference tools (i.e.online dictionaries) as well as online resources, such as videos from YouTube or TED talks. Lack of time, training as well as insufficient research evidence about the efficacy of such tools in the language learning process seem to hinder their adoption at a wider extent.

Table 1. Participants’ responses about the use of web tools in language teaching and learning

Center for the Study of the Hellenic Language and Culture

University of Ioannina

Foreign Languages Centre

Furthermore, it is of no surprise that many of these technological tools are addressed to the English language, i.e. the current lingua franca. Many languages, and most prominently Italian and Greek, seem to lack abundant technological resourses, which shows that more work is required towards the development of appropriate tools for each language, if we truly wish to promote plurilingualism in Higher Education in an effective and innovative way.

Chart 1. Participants’ responses about the lack of web tools in different languages

Center for the Study of the Hellenic Language and Culture

Time

Activity

University of Ioannina

Foreign Languages Centre

THURSDAY, 29/06/2017 Convenor

09:15 – Organisational challenges in running 11:15 language centers/ language labs

Alexandra Galani, University of Ioannina Theodora Tseligka, University of Ioannina

11:15 – Coffee break 11:45 11:45 – Organisational challenges in running Alexandra Galani, University of Ioannina 13:45 language centers/ language labs – Theodora Tseligka, University of Ioannina Introduction to tertiary education foreign language policies 13.45 – Discussion 14:00 14.00

Free time

Center for the Study of the Hellenic Language and Culture

Time

Activity

University of Ioannina

Foreign Languages Centre

FRIDAY, 30/06/2017 Convenor

09:15 – Designing a foreign language policy: 11:15 English as Lingua Franca, EAP, ESP, English for Professional Purposes

Alexandra Galani, University of Ioannina Theodora Tseligka, University of Ioannina

Greek as a second/foreign language, Greek for Specific/ Professional Purposes 11:15 – Coffee break 11:45 11:45 – Developing common language projects 13:30 Future collaborations Closing ceremony

Alexandra Galani, University of Ioannina Theodora Tseligka, University of Ioannina

Center for the Study of the Hellenic Language and Culture

University of Ioannina

Foreign Languages Centre

Foreign language policies in Tertiary Education as imprinted in our participants’ questionnaire responses As seen in chart 2 below, only half of our participants’ institutions hold an official language policy.

Chart 2. Participants’ responses about the presence of an official language policy in their Institutions

Even in those cases, where there is an official policy, university language instructors are rarely involved in its formation (table 2).

Table 2. Participants’ responses about the participation of language instructors in forming foreign language policies in their Institutions

Center for the Study of the Hellenic Language and Culture

University of Ioannina

Foreign Languages Centre

The main concern of such policies seems to be the specification of students’ level of proficiency at the point of graduation and the languages of instruction. Nonetheless, our participants were adamant in their view that foreign language instructors should be the main driving force behind the formation of such policies, which among others should include the following: - specification of students’ language proficiency at the point of university entrance - language provision for academic and non-academic staff - provision of foreign languages within a broader framework of plurilingualism and intercultural communication.

Finally, it is also interesting to note that in most institutions, incoming Erasmus+ students are encouraged and/or required to attend language classes of the home country’s language, joining existing foreign language courses (chart 3) and receiving ECTS (chart 4) accordingly.

Chart 3. Participants’ responses about the language courses Erasmus+ students join

Chart 4. Participants’ responses about the ECTS Erasmus+ students receive for the language classes they attend

Center for the Study of the Hellenic Language and Culture

University of Ioannina

Foreign Languages Centre

PARTICIPANTS’ TESTIMONIALS

Vasiliki Anagnostopoulou National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

It was an amazing week. I had a really nice time with all the participants. I learnt a lot of new information through the presentations and being around all these professionals. As a postgraduate student, I don’t have enough experiences regarding conferences and training weeks, so I believe it was a really good start. I hope to see you next year!”

Richard Bale Brunel University London This experience has been fantastic. The seminars were informative and thought-provoking. The opportunities to network were very much appreciated and will facilitate future collaborations. Alex and Dora are fantastic hosts and very talented at what they do. Ευχαριστώ!

Center for the Study of the Hellenic Language and Culture

University of Ioannina

Foreign Languages Centre

Judith Barna COMUE Lille Nord de France Well-prepared, well-organised, highly inspiring Staff Training Week. The issues covered are of typical interest. Meeting colleagues from all over Europe gives us opportunities to collaborate, to create new networks and to make our students collaborate.

Angelica Carlet Universitat Internacional de Catalunya The Erasmus+ staff training week 2017 provided me with the opportunity to learn about new methods and opportunities in foreign language teaching and to discuss the current challenges we face as teachers. It has also been a great way to meet likeminded peers and network. The organisers were very wellprepared and enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge with us and they succeeded in organising an unforgettable staff training week.

Center for the Study of the Hellenic Language and Culture

University of Ioannina

Foreign Languages Centre

Meg Cassamaly University of Siena Alex and Dora are two examples of excellence, both on a professional and personal level. They have opened up many doors to innovative areas of education that we hope will lead to future collaborations with the highly motivated group they have created. Thank you for bringing such a wide range of nationalities, personalities and wonderful people together! I will return to Italy feeling re-energised, stimulated and full of enthusiasm! Gracie!

Daniela Cundró University of Siena It is the first time I chose an Erasmus staff week. Τhis week fulfilled all my needs. The competence and experiences of the two teachers were really great and they were also good in approaching our group according to the needs and experiences of each participant who took part in the week. Bravo!

Center for the Study of the Hellenic Language and Culture

University of Ioannina

Foreign Languages Centre

Julie Donald University of Siena It is my first experience in participating in a training week abroad. The diversity of cultures that I met led to stimulating exchanges of ideas. Sometimes a teacher needs those moments to realise that there are still lots of great ideas to be put into practice into teaching. I really hope that this exchange of ideas can continue after this week with such fantastic people. Thank you Dora and Alex!

Myra Evans Università di Firenze I am grateful for this opportunity to take part in such a forum involving a variety of countries. I have found it enriching to share our different realities, to question “good practice”, to discuss solutions to difficult situations and look ahead to improving them. All this is the framework of an idyllic setting which makes for pleasant working!

Center for the Study of the Hellenic Language and Culture

University of Ioannina

Foreign Languages Centre

Iwona Frankiewicz Wrocław University of Technology and Science It was so amazing time for me. So many people from different countries. You can share your experiences and be in contact with another universities from whole Europe. I hope for further cooperation with my colleagues.

Barbara Guttuso, University of Siena So much appreciated the careful preparation of this training week, both regarding the content and structure. Online and distance learning were covered in detail and confirmed my belief in the effectiveness of “blended learning”, especially as a teaching/ learning tool in the European context of limited resources.

Center for the Study of the Hellenic Language and Culture

University of Ioannina

Foreign Languages Centre

Kristin M. Johannsdottir University of Akureyri What a fantastic training. I’ve learned so much, not just from the amazing organisers but also from the other participants. I now have all kinds of ideas of how to enrich my teaching. And the educational trips and beautiful training haven’t exactly spoiled the enjoyment.

Katarzyna Lanucha University of Cambridge I particularly liked the exchange of experiences - we all face similar challenges. The location was amazing, the organisers –Dora and Alex- were exceptional, and I really enjoyed the field trips. It’s been inspirational, I’m going back with lots of new ideas within I would like to implement in my institution.

I look forward to our collaboration.

Center for the Study of the Hellenic Language and Culture

University of Ioannina

Foreign Languages Centre

Timea NĂŠmeth University of PĂŠcs The week provided me with lots of new practical info, hands-on experience that definitely contributed to my professional development as well as meeting nice, new colleagues from Europe and starting projects, collaboration with them.

Pasi Puranen Aalto University All the topics of this Erasmus+ Staff Training were very interesting and up-to-date. Our two instructors had prepared very good presentations which arouse a lot of comments and discussion among the participants. This gave the opportunity to share our every day challenges in the language centers in Europe.

Center for the Study of the Hellenic Language and Culture

University of Ioannina

Foreign Languages Centre

Enrica Rossi University of Urbino Carlo Bo This is my second year here at the University of Ioannina and -if possible- it’s even better than last year. Dora and Alex are so pleasant and nice that everything went perfectly well. I would recommend this week to anybody really interested in networking and in exchanging experiences and ideas. Thank you!

Ingibjorg Sigurdardottir University of Akureyri I am isolated in my work since I am the only person who teach my native language as a second language in my University. But then... “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in”. So, I am very grateful for having a chance to join this Erasmus+ staff training week. Alex and Dora are wonderful persons, well organised, and very inspiring.

The group turned out to be a wonderful people with long experience of teaching foreign languages and they were generous of ideas and solutions of problems which every teacher have to deal with.

Center for the Study of the Hellenic Language and Culture

University of Ioannina

Foreign Languages Centre

Teresa Villani University of Siena The staff training week was very well organised. Dora and Alex are wonderful examples of language teachers- competent, enthusiastic, open to others and to new ideas. I was very enjoyable meeting the other colleagues from so many different places and having the possibility to exchange ideas. I realised that we share many of the same problems and challenges.

Center for the Study of the Hellenic Language and Culture

NAME

University of Ioannina

Foreign Languages Centre

ORGANISING COMMITTEE POSITION - AFFILIATION Professor

Georgios Kapsalis Rector of the University of Ioannina Senior Teaching Fellow Alexandra Galani

Theodora Tseligka

Center for the Study of the Hellenic Language and Culture University of Ioannina algalani@cc.uoi.gr Senior Teaching Fellow Medical School / Foreign Languages Centre University of Ioannina thtselig@cc.uoi.gr

UNIVERSITY OF IOANNINA INTERNATIONAL AND PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTORATE http://piro.uoi.gr/ piro@cc.uoi.gr

Center for the Study of the Hellenic Language and Culture

University of Ioannina

Foreign Languages Centre