Innovation in Language Learning

In the context of the events organized by the European Center for Modern Languages of the Council of Europe (Graz), a workshop was dedicated to the topic "Languages at the heart of learning”. One of the aims of the events is to develop innovative approaches that take into account the requirements of language education in the member states of the ECML.

The theoretical basis of the workshop was the document published by Christian Ollivier "Towards a sociointeractional approach to foster autonomy in language learers and users". It illustrates how the cognitive dimension can be linked to the interactive dimension of language acquisition. The approach intends to enable students to develop autonomy in the execution of language tasks. At the same time linguistic and intercultural skills are developed.

In contrast to other common online activities used at school, the approach we are going to present during the conference focuses on the social-interactive aspect. According to the principles of real world tasks, learners are meant to become language users by participating actively in tasks not created by the teachers. Motivation arises by being involved in authentic activities of real interest for the learners and by the awareness of being contributors and not only learners. Students develop basic competences through the critical use of digital resources and tools. During the interaction, the addressee (real people outside the educational system) has to be considered. At the same time, the target audience provides external social evaluation for the learners.

This approach invites teachers to analyse critically possible uses of digital tools and resources in the  development of language and intercultural skills.

Keywords: digital resources, authentic task, sociointeractional approach, learner autonomy;