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CONTEXT
This project is about the development and use of LanguageQuests.
The LanguageQuest concept is derived form Bernie
Dodge's WebQuest. According to Dodge, 'A WebQuest is an
inquiry-oriented activity in which some or all of the information that
learners interact with comes from resources on the internet…' It
is a task-based, integrated approach, drawing heavily on principles of
collaborative learning. But performing a WebQuest with the help of internet
resources in a foreign language does not automatically result in second
language acquisition (SLA).
The concept 'LanguageQuest' (Dutch: 'TalenQuest',
) is an innovative approach, targeted at adapting the WebQuest idea to
the specific requirements of instructed SLA instruction, based on theoretical
insights from SLA research, resulting in:
- improved task design and methodology for realistic,
content oriented, functional, task-based foreign language learning;
- a set of support instruments:
- quality criteria based on a SLA Model
- clarification of task features that trigger
useful and effective language learning activities
- a template, customised for the production of
TalenQuests.
- a rubric for the assessment of the pedagogical
qualities of TalenQuests
LanguageQuests are designed to promote an integrated
approach to communicative, realistic and functional SLA. The work of this
project will focus on the implementation and dissemination of this concept,
covering methodology as well as ICT, materials development and course
design and aiming especially at the potential and impact of ICT and new
forms of collaborative work on language education.
It combines the ECML's orientations towards training
of experts in language education and research and development. The results
will encourage the implementation and dissemination of innovative approaches
to the learning and teaching of languages. The workshop aims at raising
competence and skills levels, especially in the field of ICT use in FL-education.
The outcomes apply to all levels of education, from primary school to
university.
AIMS
AND OBJECTIVES ______________________ _______
General
aims
- implementation and dissemination of the LanguageQuest
concept
- improved professional skills for language educators
and material developers
- training of multipliers for the use of LanguageQuest
Specific
objectives
After the workshop, participants will be:
- familiar
with the LanguageQuest concept and the underlying SLA principles
- able to
estimate the effect of a LanguageQuest on SLA
- able to
improve existing LanguageQuest in terms of better SLA outcomes
- able to
design and construct an effective LanguageQuest and
- prepared
to disseminate their acquired insights and competence in their home
countries
EXPECTED
OUTCOMES ______________________ _______
- improved professional skills for language educators
and material developers in ICT applications (especially
internet use) in language education
- revision of existing LanguageQuests
- creation of a number of LanguageQuests
- availability of the workshop materials and a collection
of LanguageQuests produced by the participants
- development of an international network supported
by the ECML project website
- web-based support for the exchange, mutual assessment
and feedback-based improvement of LanguageQuests, constructed in the
participating countries
- a Brochure containing the core contents of
the workshop and a guide to the LQuest website
ACTION
PLAN _______________ ______________ _______
2004
January - December
-
Coordinated local and collaborative activities by team members
-
preparations for the recruitment of workshop participants
- teambuilding:
familiarisation with team members' work and background
-
development of ECML Project Website design
2005
January - June
Workshop preparations: development of a shared collection of relevant
resources
17-18 June
Meeting of the project team to prepare the workshop in detail
June - December
Production and pooling of Workshop Materials;
Development of Website components and maintenance
organisation
2006
5-8 April
Outline of the four days workshop programme (Graz):
Day 1
Getting to know the LanguageQuest concept and acquiring some elementary
input of SLA theory (plenary, group work) by performing Web- and LanguageQuests
assessment activities (group work)
Identification of problematic issues.
Day 2 Suggestions for additions and/or improvements of
the assessment instrument (group work, plenary)
Designing and constructing a new LanguageQuest
(group work)
Day 3 Presentation and evaluation of the constructed LanguageQuests
(group work)
Trying out existing LQs, sharing experiences and providing feedback
Day 4 Special Interest Groupwork (Early learners, Scaffolding,
Form-awareness & Strategy use, Marking & Evaluation
Planning dissemination activities (solo, group work, sharing ideas)
Evaluation
Profile of participants:
Material developers, teacher trainers specialized in second language acquisition, teachers and
other multipliers who have the material possibility to try out LanguageQuests or can organise such an activity.
Participants are expected to be informed about the possibilities of ICT-use
in education in their countries and to have basic knowledge and skills
in the use of computers and the Internet. They will be asked to
do some preparatory work in the form of reading relevant background literature,
familiarise themselves with some existing WebQuests and do some assessment
activities.
After the workshop they are expected to participate
in and contribute to the international LanguageQuest Network (LangQuestNet)
co-ordinated by the project team.
April 2006 - February 2007
- Establishment and development of network supported
by website
- Monitoring dissemination activities by participants
- Organisation of sharing practical experiences
2007
23-24 February
Team meeting to finalise the manuscripts and edit materials
for the production of the project brochure.
LANGUAGES
The working languages of the project are English and German. Simultaneous
interpretation will only be provided for the central workshop.
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