Adhoc com An intercultural communication trainer for European

Ad-hoc. com An intercultural communication trainer for European Travelers – on site Socrates Programme Lingua Action 2 Development of Language Tools and Materials

Ad-hoc. com project n The Ad-hoc. com project aims at the development of an innovative advanced multimedia language learning tool for European travelers n The Ad-hoc. com tool will be an educational platform, which will include two main applications, a web based application for online learning and a WAP application for location independent learning

The new technology application of Ad-hoc. com n allows for fast transfer of data through the mobile device of the user n aims to present linguistic content embedded in its cultural context furthering the understanding of European’s cultural and multilingual diversity n supports the pedagogical method of autonomous self-directed learning

Project’s Objectives n n n Encourage and support linguistic diversity throughout the European Union Support life-long learning Improve and validate broadband access to ICT learning at home or in geographically remote regions Develop a pedagogical method of autonomous self-directing language learning Test and evaluate the application of the ad-hoc tool in various real environments

The project’s specific aims are: n n n To define the language content for the Ad-hoc tool To present authentic communication and real life situations in the cultural context To offer different, basic language levels, based on the survival level To chose thematic fields for the acquisition of language skills To chose for acquisition of only partial competencies

Pedagogical Approach The pedagogical concept is developed in three main axes: n n n The content selection: selection the importance of social competence is recognized to be equal to the importance of specific competence. The entire tool will offer three different levels, a limited survival level and two basic levels suitable for beginners, false beginners and individuals with certain pre-knowledge. The educational material presentation that will contain various information sources with condensed mini-modules in specific thematic fields. The believe that autonomous learning offers the user the possibility of a first insight into the foreign language, raises motivation for language learning and assists him with various interactive training modules

Innovation Ad-hoc. com is bringing innovation in three fields: n n n Its language content responds to the actual communication needs, presents the language embedded in its cultural environment Its open learning environment provides ad-hoc availability and promotes self-directed learning Its state of the art technology PDA devices, GPRS phones, web and WAP applications

Target Groups n n n Students in the age of 15 to 18 of the secondary school of Ellinogermaniki Agogi Business travelers in the Vocational Training Institute ATE , UK University students of the various European origins in the University of Graz Visitors to Greece and Italy (MEWCAT, COREP) Trainees of the Vocational Training Institute for continuous learning, COREP

Target Languages Greek n English n Italian n German n The tool will be designed to be easily adapted other European Languages.

The learning environment The Ad-hoc. com tool is created for selfstudy environments, it serves the user independently of location and time. The Ad-hoc. com tool will be an educational environment, which will include two main applications, a web based application for on-line learning and a WAP application for location independent learning

The proposed tool allows for access to the material regardless of location and time and will represent the ideal tool to meet the needs of individuals, who want to communicate in a foreign country. Thus the IT application will enable autonomous self-directed learning

The web application will go through an adaptation that will make it fully functional and compatible with a PDA device The PDA will incorporate an Internet connection, connection which will be provided possibly by a GPRS phone in order to connect with Ad-hoc server.

Dissemination n n n Development of the Ad-hoc. com web site Leaflets, posters Organization of an info day CD-ROM Conferences, symposia and exhibitions Market Research Analysis Special emphasis is given to the dissemination in the Eastern European Countries

Participating Institutions n n n n Ellinogermaniki Agogi FORTHnet COREP Universitaet Graz Kingston Center For Adult Education And Training Ernst Klett Verlag MEWCAT

www. ellinogermaniki. gr/ep/ad-hoc