Luxembourg: experts involved and ECML activities

Date and venue: 18, 20, 21 September 2023, Luxembourg
Local organiser:  Christiane Klein, National Institute of Languages / National Education Training Institute, Luxembourg
Experts:  Tita Mihaiu, Centrul pentru Formarea Continua in Limba Germana (CFCLG, Romania) and Angela Gallagher-Brett, SOAS University of London
Participants: 23 novice and experienced language teachers in adult education at the INLL

About 20 eager attendants participated in the ARC workshop over three days. At the time of writing, the final concluding meeting has not yet taken place.  Throughout the well-paced workshop, participants were led through practical steps that allowed them to (re-)discover the process of continuous improvement through observation of their professional practice.

The theoretical framework was introduced and explained and the relevant tools, which the ECML provides, were implemented in practice through  varied activities.  The mix of novices as well as experienced teachers led to lively exchanges and allowed colleagues to discover common doubts about their teaching approach.  Thematic  groups allowed teachers to map a plan for a detailed observation of their practice, set a timeline and implement changes according to a detailed framework.

All participants felt invigorated to move forward with a sound theoretical foundation and detailed practical guidelines.  Novice teachers were guided through the process by more experienced teachers and trainers and experienced teachers continued their path of incremental improvement/refinement of their teaching practice.

Throughout the workshop, the moderators addressed questions, gave guidance and assisted participants with targeted questions to query their approach.

Initiatives are ongoing.

Nicolas Maraite

• More information about the ECML training and consultancy offer for member states on Enhancing language learning and teaching through Action Research Communities for language teachers
• Facebook group of the Action Research Community for Language teachers

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German version

Eine Einführung oder ein erneuter Impuls, die Lehrer:Innenpraxis zu hinterfragen

Etwa 20 eifrige Teilnehmende nahmen drei Tage lang am ARC-Workshop teil. Zum Zeitpunkt des Verfassens dieser Zeilen hat das Abschlusseminar noch nicht stattgefunden. Während des Workshops wurden die Teilnehmenden durch praktische Schritte geführt, die es ihnen ermöglichten, den Prozess der kontinuierlichen Verbesserung durch Beobachtung ihrer beruflichen Praxis zu entdecken und/oder weiterzuentwickeln.

Der theoretische Rahmen wurde vorgestellt und erklärt und die relevanten Werkzeuge, die das ECML bereitstellt, wurden in vielfältigen Aktivitäten praktisch umgesetzt. Die Mischung des Erfahrunsgrades der Lehrpersonen führte zu einem regen Austausch und ermöglichte es, Hinterfragungen zu deren persönlichen Lehransatz zu erarbeiten. Themengruppen ermöglichten es, einen Plan für eine detaillierte Beobachtung der eigenen Praxis zu entwerfen, einen Zeitplan festzulegen und Änderungen gemäß einem detaillierten Rahmen umzusetzen.

Alle Teilnehmenden erhielten eine fundierte theoretische Grundlage und detaillierte praktische Richtlinien. Angehende Lehrpersonen wurden von Erfahreneren und Ausbildenden durch den Prozess geführt und konnten so schrittweise eine Verbesserung/Verfeinerung ihrer Unterrichtspraxis erzielen.

Während des gesamten Workshops gingen die Moderierenden auf Fragen ein, gaben Hinweise und unterstützten die Teilnehmenden mit gezielten Fragen bei der Hinterfragung ihres Ansatzes.

Weitere Initiativen sind im Gange.

Nicolas Maraite

Date and venue of the event: 18-19 September 2019 at the Institut National des Langues Luxembourg (INL)
Local organiser: Jean-Marc Putz, Institut National des Langues Luxembourg (INL)
ECML ICT-REV trainers: Aline Germain-Rutherford, Canada; Sarah Heiser and Ursula Stickler, United Kingdom
Participants: 16 language teachers

We were  privileged to have been given the opportunity to welcome ICT-REV team of the ECML in the early autumn of 2019. With their pragmatic and humanizing approach to the use of technology in the classroom, they were able to motivate the participants to embrace the possibilities of ICT supported teaching. They also managed to allay the fears of many teachers worried that the integration of  ICT in the classroom would lead to teaching becoming an automated, impersonal, and homogenized process. Their enthusiasm has sparked an exchange of best practices at the INL, which in turn has narrowed the gap between digital natives, and digital immigrants, and reinforced the collaboration between different generations of teachers.

The INL is now looking to implement Blended learning into its course offer and has successfully managed to integrate tablets and interactive boards into its classroom practice. With  their international expertise the ICT-REV team has shown us what is done in this field all around the world and has encouraged the emulation of best practices.

Jean-Marc Putz, INL, local organiser of the event

• More information about the ECML training and consultancy offer for member states "Using ICT in support of language teaching and learning" is available here

Date: 21-22 September 2017

Venue: Institut national des langues (INL), 15 rue Léon Hengen, 1745 Luxembourg

Participants: 28 teachers and teacher trainers from the different language departments at INL

Participation in Use of ICT in support of language teaching and learning workshop is especially worthwhile for course organisers and teachers who want to promote a contemporary learner-centered approach to language learning, which fully embraces the opportunities provided by ICT tools.  The workshop enables participants to integrate ICT tools in their teaching in a productive and reflected manner. Attitudes towards technology in teaching are discussed in an open and safe environment that encourages the exchange of pedagogical attitudes, practices and (classroom) experiences.

One of the main strengths of the workshop is the provision of numerous opportunities to share best practices and know-how. The approach of the workshop is constructive, and builds on the experience of the participants.  As a result, it is interesting and worthwhile for participants of all skill-levels. The trainers are able to provide assistance when needed, thus removing the technical stumbling blocks that all too often discourage teachers from using ICT tools. Indeed, the sheer enthusiasm of the ICT-REV team is a great motivator, and their sound pedagogical approach encourages emulation.

Deliberate reflection on the various aspects of teaching and learning is encouraged and plays a key role. Technology is presented as a means to end, which is to increase the efficiency and sustainability of learning and teaching processes. This approach should allow the development of teacher competencies, more varied practices and ultimately improved courses.

Christiane Klein (local organiser), Institut national des langues

• More information about the ECML training and consultancy offer for member states:
  "Online technology - Use of ICT in support of language teaching and learning"

Date: 21-22 September 2017

Venue: Institut national des langues (INL), 15 rue Léon Hengen, 1745 Luxembourg

Participants : 28 teachers and teacher trainers from the different language departments at INL; course organisers and teachers at ASTI Asbl (Association de Soutien aux Travailleurs Immigrés)

Participation in the Adult Migrants – Quality Assurance in Language and Citizenship Courses workshop is especially worthwhile for course organisers and teachers who work in a school environment that caters to a large immigrant population. Referring to the criteria in the Self-Assessment Handbook for Providers of Courses for Adult Migrants, the moderators encourage the participants to consider how well courses are designed for this particular student population and to what extent the learning objectives are derived from a needs assessment of this specific student group.

Another focus of the workshop is on lesson planning and the selection of appropriate materials and activities to achieve the course objectives while constantly keeping in mind the students’ specific needs. The importance of choosing suitable teaching methods and techniques to facilitate the acquisition of the target language with a culturally and educationally diverse group of learners is also highlighted.

Adequate time is allowed for discussion of key issues and case studies, the exchange of practice and (classroom) experiences. One of the main strengths of the workshop is the provision of numerous opportunities to share knowledge and information. Deliberate reflection on the various aspects of teaching and learning is encouraged and plays a key role. This approach should allow the development of teacher competencies, more varied practices and ultimately improved courses.

Christiane Klein (local organiser), Institut national des langues, Luxembourg

• More information about the ECML training and consultancy offer for member states: "Adult migrants - Quality assurance in language and citizenship courses"

The European Language Gazette, the ECML's e-newsletter, provides up-to-date news about the ECML (events, projects, resources), the Language Policy Unit and other relevant sectors of the Council of Europe, as well as our partners. It focuses on national developments in the field of language education in the member states and beyond.

Read the latest issue: English - French

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Issue no. 36 – Contents

Focus on ECML programme developments – "Languages at the heart of learning" (2016-2019)

Latest project developments

"Language awareness in subject classes": participate in an online survey

"Towards a Common European Framework for Language Teachers": latest news

e-lang project in 2016: laying the foundations for a digital literacy in the language teaching and learning context

"Promoting excellence in sign language instruction (PRO-Sign2)": ECML workshop (Graz, Austria, 1-2 March 2017) – cooperation partnership with Moscow State Linguistic University

"A quality matrix for CEFR use": ECML workshop (Graz, Austria, 15-16 November 2016) – Interview with Denis Vigneron, French participant

ECML training and consultancy for member states

Network meeting of local organisers and ECML consultants (Graz, Austria, 7-8 March 2017) and upcoming national training workshops

National training workshop "Supporting multilingual classes" in Slovenia (Koper, 2-3 March 2017)

National workshops "A pluriliteracies approach to teaching for learning" in Malta (Floriana, 2-3 March 2017) and Latvia (Riga, 6-7 March 2017) 

Forthcoming events

Recent ECML publication: Language skills for successful subject learning – CEFR linked descriptors for mathematics and history/civics

European Day of Languages

National developments in Armenia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Slovenia, Switzerland

Professional Network Forum of the ECML: upcoming events

Council of Europe developments

The linguistic integration of adult migrants: some lessons from research

Council of Europe Ad hoc Committee of Experts on Roma and Traveller Issues (CAHROM) (ECML, Graz, Austria, 29-31 March 2017)

International Roma Day – 8 April

Pestalozzi programme: creating an online community of action researchers – summer school 2017

Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities: developments in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Finland, Kosovo*, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, Norway, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, "The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia"

Urban policies for inclusive integration and diversity advantage: join the Intercultural Cities 2017 Milestone Event (Lisbon, Portugal, 28-29 November 2017)

Cyprus Chairmanship Conference in Nicosia: "Securing Democracy through Education"

Recent publication

Editorial news from other organisations: Eurostat, Eurydice, OECD, Unesco, Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning, Babylonia

Quick links