Thematic seminar Raising awareness on cultural and linguistic

Thematic seminar Raising awareness on cultural and linguistic diversity and language learning Vienna, Austria 6 -8 th of July 2009 Project number 143337 -LLP-1 -2008 -1 -DE-KA 2 NM Grant agreement number 2008 -4283/001 -001 1

Education policy and programs in Italy - educational system PRE-PRIMARY EDUCATION p nursery schools, Age 3 -6 Scuola dell’Infanzia COMPULSORY EDUCATION Education is compulsory from 6 up to 16 years of age. However, students have a right/duty to continue their training within the education system for at least 12 years or up to the obtainment of a qualification (three years) within the vocational education and training system within 18 years of age. p first cycle of education Primo ciclo di istruzione n primary school, Age 6 -11 Scuola primaria n lower secondary school, Age 11 - 14 Scuola secondaria di primo grado POST-COMPULSORY EDUCATION/UPPER SECONDARY AND POST-SECONDARY LEVEL p second cycle of education Secondo ciclo di istruzione n General education, Upper secondary school, Age 14 -19 p classical upper secondary school Liceo classico p scientific upper secondary school Liceo scientifico p linguistic upper secondary school Liceo linguistico p upper secondary school with a sociological-psycological and pedagogical orientation Liceo socio-psicopedagogico p artistic upper secondary school, Age 14 -18/19 Liceo artistico n Technical education, Age 14 -19 p technical school Istituto tecnico Source: Eurydice, European Commission, Directorate. General for Education and Culture, National summary n Vocational education, Age 14 -17/19 sheets on education systems in Europe and ongoing p vocational school Istituto professionale reforms, ITALY, DECEMBER 2008 p art schools Istituti d’arte Project number 143337 -LLP-1 -2008 -1 -DE-KA 2 NM Grant agreement number 2008 -4283/001 -001 2

Education policy and programs in Italy European/international dimension through the national curriculum As far as primary and lower secondary school are concerned, the guidelines for the curriculum of 2007 provide important cues for various teaching subjects: p The sensitivity towards the contribution of other European or Mediterranean languages and cultures to the Italian language represents an important resource for intercultural education (subject: Italian); p Learning at least two European foreign languages allows let pupils acquire multilingual and multicultural skills and exercise active citizenship beyond the national boundaries (subject: EU languages). NO SUGGESTION ABOUT METHODS Project number 143337 -LLP-1 -2008 -1 -DE-KA 2 NM Grant agreement number 2008 -4283/001 -001 3

Non formal/informal: main didactic and methodological model(s) and means - environment Various contexts analysed: p p p p education, companies, vocational training centres, cultural associations (evening courses/leisure time), social associations/centres (Italians/immigrants), courses foreigners, … Project number 143337 -LLP-1 -2008 -1 -DE-KA 2 NM Grant agreement number 2008 -4283/001 -001 4

Non formal/informal: main didactic and methodological model(s) and means – diversity: young male/female, country of origin, education, culture… Participants are the most different ones: p L 2 for Italians: n young adults with fresh EN studied at school and never practiced, n they are normally mixed gender with prevalence of males, n Young people, adults, women, over 45: mixed classes, p women (at any age) have a wider flexibility to approach new methodologies but they are more resistant at dedicating time for their own improvement; p L 2 foreigners: n EU and non EU immigrants (1 st & 2 nd generation), n Young people, adults, women, nationality: mixed classes, n Ethnical and cultural differences; some taboo item (e. g. religion). Project number 143337 -LLP-1 -2008 -1 -DE-KA 2 NM Grant agreement number 2008 -4283/001 -001 5

Non formal/informal: main didactic and methodological model(s) and means – common approach/method Behaviourist approach p use of methods and didactical materials stimulating fantasy and creativity: n to feel the students comfortable, n to make expression in a foreign language easier, n to involve the students, n to shorten the distance between teacher and students, n to throw down the barriers to learn… This method represent a counter-trend compared with Italian practices, still using more traditional methods. Project number 143337 -LLP-1 -2008 -1 -DE-KA 2 NM Grant agreement number 2008 -4283/001 -001 6

Non formal/informal: main didactic and methodological model(s) and means – tools used p p p Songs as testimonial of authentic language, Movies, TV series for idioms, colloquial sentences, Books for lexicon, Audio books, Pod casts of international magazines and/or networks, Comics to fill, Dialogues to be performed, Wide role playing use, Mime show, Advertisements, The city as learning environment (e. g. places, buildings, services, transports, literature)… Project number 143337 -LLP-1 -2008 -1 -DE-KA 2 NM Grant agreement number 2008 -4283/001 -001 7

Non formal/informal: drivers p p p The focus is more on the skills than on the language structure, Communicative language, Informal environment Informal learning. n n n Structure removal , Use of play, i. e. to learn as children do, Language acquisition, not language study, Teacher as a counsellor, to win the learner’s barriers, Real language continuous exposure with different tools, Strong and continuous interaction teacher/learner, focused on learner’s needs, Empathic relation, To lean on personal interests, Experience based tools, Being part of a team, Links & connections among different matters and environments, Link with the environment (sociality)… Project number 143337 -LLP-1 -2008 -1 -DE-KA 2 NM Grant agreement number 2008 -4283/001 -001 8

Specific needs Informal environment Informal learning Young people: p prefer interfacing with computers than books CD ROMs IPods, p listen music on their IPod all the times, p learn to use the songs to learn English, p follow TV series much more that film, except the serial films TV series and movies (Harry Potter, Twilight. . . ), p are allergic to classics and everything that looks like “school”, p use passing systems, i. e. horizontal learning instead of vertical one, p need to be listened. Project number 143337 -LLP-1 -2008 -1 -DE-KA 2 NM Grant agreement number 2008 -4283/001 -001 9

Recommendations Traditional methods rules Passing systems music social networks grammar YOUNG structure organisation internet TV others … Project number 143337 -LLP-1 -2008 -1 -DE-KA 2 NM Grant agreement number 2008 -4283/001 -001 10

Specific needs Informal environment Informal learning Teacher (counsellor, to facilitate): p Shorten the distances, p Teach & play, p Teach & communicate, p Teach & listen, p Pay attention to links & connections among different matters and environments, p Pay attention to learning needs & Social needs… Project number 143337 -LLP-1 -2008 -1 -DE-KA 2 NM Grant agreement number 2008 -4283/001 -001 11

Languages taught – Motivation for language learning Italians: p Internet p Music p Travels p Social networks… Foreigners: p Integration (!), p Employment, p Use of services, p Opportunities… Project number 143337 -LLP-1 -2008 -1 -DE-KA 2 NM Grant agreement number 2008 -4283/001 -001 12

Good Practice example - 1 Upper secondary school, Italian students. p Out of the school n n The students prepared researches whose result was presented (in English) in a public event and the proceeds was used to support the local park storks colony. Students groups chose matters according to their interests, such as music (Beatles, Nirvana & U 2 music & lyrics) and differences between 70 s and actual values among teenagers, also using music and lyrics. A DVD was also produced. The event, held in the local Town Hall was very successful. p It were overturned the traditional teaching-learning rules, going beyond school borders. p Students’ motivation was a very important success element. Project number 143337 -LLP-1 -2008 -1 -DE-KA 2 NM Grant agreement number 2008 -4283/001 -001 13

Good Practice example - 2 EU and non-EU immigrants (1 st and 2 nd generation) p The city as learning environment n n n Traditional lessons to introduce method and city map (structure, characteristic, also in the figurative sense. . ), Guided group city tours, then groups without guide, Building, places, shops, people, transports, services… Examination, description, interviews, Remarks and consideration together, p To know the environment, p To know the languages (i. e. the different Italian languages) p To help them in integration (!) Project number 143337 -LLP-1 -2008 -1 -DE-KA 2 NM Grant agreement number 2008 -4283/001 -001 14

Financing/ possible funds EU level p Dissemination projects for mainstreaming National/local level p National/local public authority financing n To vocational training centres (using ESF) n To no-profit associations (sport, immigrants, others… using funds for social activities) n Mo. E financing (schools autonomy system) p Self-financing (association members, families…) Project number 143337 -LLP-1 -2008 -1 -DE-KA 2 NM Grant agreement number 2008 -4283/001 -001 PROBLEM: FUNDS REDUCTION 15

Recommendations – raising and strengthening motivation Situation p Formal (education system) = traditional methods (!) p Formal (vocational training system) = active methods p Non formal/informal = active methods p Pedagogical recommendations n Use of active methods based on experience and learners’ interests n focus on the skills more than on the language structure n More attention to environment and culture of origin p Structural Recommendations n Changing of teacher role = from teacher to counsellor p Recommendations for Raising Awareness/ Reaching the Target groups n Experience and interest based methods and tools p Recommendations regarding Implementation into existing Measures n Experiences exchange n Teachers training n More methodological flexibility Project number 143337 -LLP-1 -2008 -1 -DE-KA 2 NM Grant agreement number 2008 -4283/001 -001 16

Recommendations FORMAL ENVIRONMENT Traditional methods Informal teaching Traditional methods & Informal teaching Project number 143337 -LLP-1 -2008 -1 -DE-KA 2 NM Grant agreement number 2008 -4283/001 -001 17

Recommendations Non standard teaching Non formal/Informal environment Informal learning Formal environment Informal teaching better learning HOW IS IT POSSIBLE? Project number 143337 -LLP-1 -2008 -1 -DE-KA 2 NM Grant agreement number 2008 -4283/001 -001 18

Thank you Giovanni Primavera IAL CISL Emilia Romagna T. +390514217727 M. +393357610784 giovanniprimavera@ialemiliaromagna. it This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. Project number 143337 -LLP-1 -2008 -1 -DE-KA 2 NM Grant agreement number 2008 -4283/001 -001 19