Catching Language Universality with Music

The project wanted to support multilingualism in communication and the integration of all European citizens, which is a necessary part of the internationalization of education and the integration of Europe. We are aware of the need to develop innovative didactic approaches in language teaching. In the environment where we meet immigrants, it is necessary to facilitate integration based on the development of their language competences for all age categories. The natural form is the necessity to apply approaches using songs that naturally develop the language and cultural awareness of the individual. All students should be involved in the learning process, regardless of their level of intelligence, and music allows teachers to combine conscious and unconscious learning processes, while studying English, music is an important tool for developing pronunciation, vocabulary. In children, language needs to be developed through auditory methods, because they perceive most by hearing. When learning, it is also necessary to involve the visual, movement component. Songs are mostly associated with movement, with a lot of gestures, it is motivating to include dance in the learning process.

The project wanted to develop multilingualism in communication, develop innovative didactic approaches to teaching foreign languages, which will apply integrated learning including auditory, visual and movement components. At the same time, we wanted to develop methodological procedures for teaching languages that would be acceptable for all age categories of children, regardless of their intellect. We wanted to share examples of our good practice among English language teachers from the participating countries, and thus we supported their mutual cooperation and their professional development. The project wanted to support the development of pupils' language competences, gaining confidence and confidence in the use of the English language, and the ability to self-assess. The project wanted to develop the cultural awareness of the involved participants, strengthen international friendship and contribute to the development of tolerance between people.

The project included three meetings of representatives of the participating schools, which were always organized and held at the host school's location. The Suggestopedia meeting took place at the Czech partner. It was focused on a learning methodology that is fast, fun and without mental barriers. The Czech team prepared activities aimed at learning about traditions – music, dances, food, costumes, language, cultural heritage. The meeting included class visits and sharing methodologies in language teaching. Participants developed procedures to evaluate the achievement of project objectives and the impact of activities on the target group. The meeting with the Turkish partner Comunicativa Approach was also focused on learning about the culture and traditions of the country, developing teamwork during workshops in the creation of presentations and posters. The third meeting, Singign our life, had a similar content structure. Music workshops were held to introduce the participants to Romanian music, traditional piston music topics, and there was a discussion of themes and symbols. Every meeting was attended by two representatives from the partner schools. At each meeting, the school and parent community were involved in the program.

The outcomes of the meeting include joint works of the participants, posters, magazines, presentations that presented the cultural traditions of individual countries, performances of musicals prepared by the children of the host schools, dance performances of children in the visited schools. The project developed discussions among the participants on the methodology of learning foreign languages and cultivating children's cultural awareness through folk songs and traditions. Sharing examples of good practice, the participants exchanged experiences with the use of song and music in foreign language learning. The methodology of involving experiential pedagogy in language learning strengthens non-violent and fun learning for children of all ages.