Building bridges by embracing diversity

There was a need for authentic communication in foreign language teaching, and to increase motivation for learning and specifically language learning, a very strong need to reduce racism and xenophobia, to enhance students’ stronger sense of community and identity also as European citizens and enhance students' self-confidence and well-being by introducing, implementing and developing autonomous language learning and positive psychology approaches.

We wanted to achieve increased motivation for the learning of foreign languages by increasing chances for authentic communication. We wanted to reduce racism and xenophobia, to enhance students’ stronger sense of community and identity also as European citizens. In addition we wanted to enhance students' self-confidence and well-being by implementing and developing autonomous language learning and positive psychology approaches.

Start off meeting in Denmark, Student exchange in Finland (September), Student exchange in Denmark (October), Thanksgiving project, Christmas card project, Midway project meeting in Finland (November), Student exchange in Finland (February), Student exchange in Denmark (March),Midwaymeetings on-line Visit to learn about the international Muslim community inFinland, Teacher training sessions on autonomy and positive psychology Autonomy experiment period in Finland, small-scale teaching sessions, workshops and projects on positive psychology (e.g. posters, videos, presentations)

Four student exchanges, lots of authentic language learning experiences, two preparatory visits, learning and teaching activities around autonomy and positive psychology, students' increased awareness of diversity, autonomy, strenghts and enhanced self-confidence.