Co-creation as a means to increase autonomy in learning
Blog 2 about Erasmus+ KA2 project How to learn a language? (H2L2) – June 2023 Suha got a leaflet in her letterbox. She recognizes the logo of the municipality, so it must be important, but what does it say? Riad is in a refugee camp. He has to sign a paper that looks official but he is nervous about the consequences of giving his signature while he does not understand what he is signing for. Mahmud wonders about the meaning of the billboards that he sees around the city, they have pictures of coffins and look scary.
Legal entities, like municipalities and companies, communicate with citizens trough printed or digital text. For those who are new to a language and new to reading and writing and find themselves in a society which is different from what they are used to, making meaning of text can give them a hard time and it may come with a lot of stress.
H2L2 In the project How to learn a language (H2L2) we aim at equipping learners with skills and tools to find their way. The skills include:
Improved language learning strategies, like memory strategies and reading strategies; Improved focus and awareness, through (micro-) goalsetting we help learners focus on their direct needs and the achievements they make in meeting their needs. By inviting them to bring the outside in (bring written materials from their daily lives into the classroom) we aim at expanding their learning options beyond the school setting. Improved use of digital tools for meaning making: by familiarizing learners with the options that Google Translate and Google Lens provide, we support learners to increase their independence. Co-construction
The project aims at strategy development through co-construction. Co-construction means that learners and tutors together discuss options, make choices, try out, evaluate, adopt or dismiss new strategies for learning. Co-construction builds on a conversation between learners and tutors / teachers. If learners are beginners and have not yet acquired much of the target language, and teachers do not speak the learners’ home language, this conversation may be a challenge. The project therefor promotes linguistic diversity and creativity. In our pilots, learners are always encouraged to use their home languages to discuss learning with their peers. Some pilot groups can rely on bilingual assistance and translation. One of our pilot groups is tutored by a tutor who shares the learners’ first language. Being able to genuinely communicate and exchange insights, proves an important source of knowledge, in which we as teachers and researchers do learn a lot from learners.
Partnership H2L2 is an Erasmus+ KA2-strategic partnership in which the following organizations take part: Second Chance School of Mytilene (Greece), Orient Express (Austria), C.P.I.A. Sede di Ancona and Universita Degli Studi Di Macerata (Italy), TopTaal NT2 Experts, Kaatje Dalderop and ITTA UvA (The Netherlands).