The joint project has been proposed by Slovak contractor (SIOV) and partner (SPU) to fill in the gap in professional English language development supplementary materials to meet the needs of end users and offer a tool of social and working integration on global European market.
Developed structure is supporting the idea of new forms of learning and teaching and basic skills in VET, stressing the autonomous learner concept and training approach enabling the end user to do things with the language, to learn how to interact with real people in real time.
The desired outcomes are practicality, flexibility, effectiveness, modern methodological concept, easy, simple to understand, user friendly manipulation-navigation in digital environment. Lexical and task-based approach, progress testing element enabling to acquire specific skills and competences are substantial features of the proposal.
Task-Based communicative language teaching improves upon the traditional approach, topics are tailored according to the end users needs. The structure covers mechanisms to measure users’ achievement, as well as the general test of language awareness (ELPT) together with basic grammar structures presented in the context of speech acts involved in achieving a particular objective.
Objectives
Overall objective: To enhance language preparation for transnational mobility and awareness of different cultures in the vocational training and working environment context.
Purpose: To develop a common learning/training and diagnostic tool for individual, classroom or out-of-school use.
Creation of multi-faceted(media) didactic material (CD-ROM) for English language development and practice for 12 specific economic areas based on market analysis and needs in three (involved) countries : Slovakia, Italy and Greece.
The aim is to develop a multi-media professionally oriented ESP (English for Special Purpose) study material to improve technical/professional language skills and competences of target group (secondary technical schools’ students, young adults preparing and retrained for specific occupations, adults with professional experience in need of language development, specific groups) to enhance their mobility and abilities in continuing education (Life Long Learning).
Sponsor
The State Vocational Educational Institute is an educational budgetary, non-profit organisation established by the Ministry of Education of the SR. It is active in the field of vocational education and operates within the network of secondary vocational schools and secondary apprentice schools.
Its section for education and policy co-operates in the development of vocational education policy and deals with issues related to the development, innovation and testing of educational programmes for apprentice and study branches according to the current and perspective requirements. This section provides auspices and co-ordinates preparation and development of educational standards and related modules of basic pedagogical documents.
The section for international supports establishment and development of international co-operation of secondary schools, prepares and implements foreign educational projects in the field of vocational education. With regard to activities abroad, it helps in organising study and training stays, offers consulting services regarding organisation of school activities, and helps in entering into international agreements in the field of vocational education.
Partners
TRAINING 2000 (IT)
is a Regional Vocational training organisation, part of a large Regional and EU Network, partner and promoter of National and International adult training programs for employees, professionals, owners of SMEs and disadvantaged groups, to improve their qualifications and skills.
This network includes the major Regional Associations of Industries, SMEs and Artisans (Assindustria of Pesaro and Aquila, Confartigianato and CESCOT – Confesercenti, ANCE Abruzzi and CNM – Consortium of boat construction enterpices), Universities (Urbino) and Public offices responsible for education and Vocational training (Province of Pesaro, Province of Aquila, Marche and Abruzzi Regions). Other social partners and trade Unions are also co-operating with Training 2000 (C.OO.SS Marche and ANMIC) to analyse employability, training and equal opportunities for disadvantaged groups. Most of the partners are also involved in training by means of traditional training and different ODL tools and methodologies. Within this project, our final objective is to support the partnership through all phases of the project, identify, potentiate and diffuse the ODL end products of the project , in our region.
Training 2000 has taken active roles in previous Leonardo and Socrates projects including dissemination of best practices. Research and development work is currently done in the area of multimedia, internet, web design, advanced internet solutions (web sites, content management solutions, e-learning, e-business, e-commerce) and IT consulting to SMEs.
ENTENTE (UK)
represents a team of highly qualified experts who are influencing the design, development, and quality management of vocational education and training systems and infrastructures throughout the UK and Europe. Their complementary expertise enables us to deliver, assess and accredit a range of high quality, value for money, training, research and study visit programmes. This team also carried out a major part of the UK Leonardo 1 “Capitalisation” process in 2001.
As an approved assessment centre with OCR (Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examinations Board), City and Guilds and NEBS (the National Examining Board for Supervision & Management) we accredit training programmes in trainer-training, management, administration, information technology and a wide range of other vocational skills. We also deliver a unique “New International Business English” programme for business people working in an international trading environment.
Our facilities include CD-ROM and Web Design expertise, and our training centre in the heart of Birmingham’s business and entertainment area has superb conference and meeting facilities for up to150 people in a state-or-the art lecture theatre where recent events have included the Leonardo da Vinci National “Capitalisation” conferences.
DIAN (GR)
Publications – Educational Programmes – Consulting (EL): is a private company involved with publishing, consulting and educational activities. It employs 4 full-time employees and 8 persons specializing in different fields on a part-time basis. Our activity in the publishing field began in 1987, and is developing along the lines of a specific development programme. Until now, we have published forty five titles of high quality in their content as well as in their overall appearance. In addition to the publishing sector, the activities of “DIAN Publishing” also range over other areas, such as:
- Undertaking the preparation and publication of brochures on behalf of companies or organisations from Greece and abroad.
- Participating as a partner in European Community projects, in which DIAN undertakes the publishing part.
- Providing technical knowledge for the production of educational or informative material, in the form of books or CD ROMs.
Advising independent writers who wish to publish their work by themselves. Our educational programme is based on the directions of the European Union with regard to the “Lifelong Education” of European citizens. DIAN has an exclusive co-operation agreement with the FEE (Federation des Experts Comptables Europeens), which has been assigned by the European Commission to inform EU businesses on the changeover. During the last 10 years, DIAN has participated as leader or partner in 14 European programmes, in collaboration with several educational institutions from 11 European countries.
SPU (SK)
The National Institute for Education – Státny pedagogický ústav: is responsible to the Ministry of Education and was founded in 1994. It fulfils research tasks in the field of education and provides pedagogical guidance to primary and secondary schools. SPU co-ordinates and provides professional input on the work of other government departments in the field of education.
The activities of the National Institute for Education include assistance in the development of schools policy, monitoring and evaluation of the educational objectives. It develops and verifies basic pedagogical documents for pre-school education, basic and special schools, grammar schools and general educational subjects in secondary vocational schools. It is involved in development and verification of educational standards and didactic tests. One of SPU tasks is elaboration of methodological problems concerning evaluation of educational achievements in terms of national and international studies. It coordinates various IEA (International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement) international studies – TIMSS, PIRLS, CIVIC and SITES (see www.statpedu.sk – international projects) and serves as National Center for OECD PISA (Programme for International Students Assessment) project.
The National Institute for Education cooperates with the British Council and Open Society Foundation in various projects, e.g. Maturita (Final exam) Reform Project , LAMP – Learner Autonomy Methodology Project. Within Maturita Reform Project several trainings of test writers of English and other maturita subjects were held in cooperation with Lancaster and Cambridge Universities in the years 2000-2002. These expert groups are able to provide the professional expertise in the field of test and item tasks design and test analysis.