DIGI-LINGO: Enhancing digital language teaching and virtual exchange

The project stems from the challenges facing foreign languages in Denmark, as well as in the rest of Europe, where there is a shortage of language teachers and an increasing number of young people...

The overall objective of the project was to improve digital language teaching and virtual exchange in the participating countries – and the rest of the EU member states in the next couple of years. By implementing the project, it has achieved the following specific and innovative objectives: 1. To develop new teaching guidelines for digital language learning 2. To develop easily accessible methods for virtual language exchange 3. To establish a sustainable organisational model anchored at the regional level. By completing these objectives, this project have developed and created sought-after new knowledge in how to implement and use specific digital and virtual tools and methods in the day-to-day foreign language teaching. This need for new models, guidelines and knowledge in the area stems directly from the foreign language teachers and headmasters (a bottom-up approach) and this has improved the foreign language teaching as well as made the foreign language subjects more attractive to pupils.

The project stems from the challenges facing foreign languages in Denmark, as well as in the rest of Europe, where there is a shortage of language teachers and an increasing number of young people are opting out of language subjects in upper secondary and higher education. The foreign languages are struggling - some examples from Denmark: - Upcoming shortage of language teachers for primary and secondary school and secondary education - 76% of students in secondary education didn’t have the possibility to choose the foreign language they wanted - 45% of students in secondary school did not have the option to choose French.

PR1 Publications: 1) Analytical framework and identification of best practices in virtual language learning and exchange. 2)Methodology and questionnaire. 3) Results and recommendations based on questionnaire. PR2 Guidelines: The guidelines for digital foreign language learning, teaching, and virtual pupils’ exchange’ consists of didactic and pedagogical guidelines for teachers on implementing digital tools in foreign language teaching. The guidelines are designed to help teachers optimise the use of new digital possibilities in their daily teaching practices. PR3: Transnational teacher seminars using blended learning. The first was held in January 2024 in Brussels. 21 participants in the two-day seminar. The second was held in March 2024 in Bergen. 20 participants in the two-day seminar. PR4: Organisational model to support digital language teaching and exchange. The organisational model is built around a self-paced, online module designed specifically for classroom practitioners eager to orchestrate virtual language learning exchanges. With insights from the DIGI-LINGO project, this module provides educators with the knowledge to connect their classrooms with peers in other countries, encouraging collaborative learning and global engagement. Other results: One important benefit has been reflecting on the cultural differences within the participating organisations. For example: - Understanding the teacher’s role in the school system and classroom across countries. - Examining the teacher’s and pupils’ autonomy - or lack thereof - in different countries. - Recognising various learning approaches in participating regions. Collaborating with the DIGI-LINGO partners has allowed us to tap into a wider range of skills, learn about innovative practices and digital tools, and appreciate diverse perspectives. The transnational nature of the project has opened doors for further collaboration on future initiatives. Ultimately, this project has strengthened the partners' European engagement.