engleski

Enhancing learning foreign languages through volunteering, ICT usage and collaboration between local government, universities and schools

Multiculturalism and the need for learning foreign languages is becoming a very important part of globalization. This is one of the reasons why learning foreign languages is becoming a more and more important part of education. The model of collaboration between local govemment, universities and elementary schools from the United Kingdom and Croatia show positive results in enhancing motivation for learning English as a foreign language. This project was designed as a volunteering project in which volunteers help elementary school children in gathering verbal and oral communication skills as well as raising motivation for learning a foreign language. Collaboration with the English partners was made by usage of the information and communication technology and through mobilities. All information was available on alfresco share platforms. Eleven volunteers participated in the first phase of this project. This nurnber was increased to 40 volunteers after a period of one year. They helped 75 elementary school children, aged 8-12, in the process of learning English as a foreign language. Collecting data of the project results was made via a survey. The survey was designed as a Lickert scale, conducted within three groups of respondents: elementary school students, volunteers and teachers of English language. The elements of estimates were motivation, verbal and written communication skills, activity and attendances. The resuits of teacher's assessments showed a slight improvement in motivation and language skills. Volunteers reported that elementary school children were happy about their arrival and with working together. Elementary school students liked the volunteers, they also liked the way how they are taught and communicated. Examples of good practice between the Croatian and English partners were exchanged through conferences and on-line collaboration. The international accreditation from the European voluntary service is part of the dissemination of the project results. Local media supported the project. The resuIts have been published in a printed brochure and also used on-line materials. The post project actrvities are planned as a part of similar volunteering projects in local communities as well as on the internationallevel.

Multiculutralism; Volunteers; Communication ICT

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