Outling the scope, context and challenges of the LANGO EU project. The project (Language on the Go) created a mobile platform for dfitally suported language learning in 4 lesser used languages (Greek, Bulgarian, Russian and Bulgarian). Paper presented at final project conference in Sofia, Bulgaria on 6 December 2013.

1. Dr. Alan Bruce
Universal Learning Systems – Dublin
Sofia, Bulgaria
6 December 2013

2. 
LANGO – designed to explore opportunities offered by
new advanced information and communication
technologies to encourage adult learners of less widely
used and taught languages.

Interactive language learning approaches are combined
with a strong intercultural component so that
integrated advanced technological tools motivate
language learning and give insights into culture,
traditions and everyday habits.

3.  Conceptual backgrounds on multilingualism
 Contours of change
 Interculturalism and the Other
 Understanding diversity
 Shaping required competencies
 Engaging with inclusion - best practice
 European added value in a time of crisis

4. 
Globalization
process and impact

Labor market and work
innovation, competitiveness, adaptability

Paradigms of inclusion
equality and diversity

Standards, skill, quality and transferability
learning and development in unequal environments

5.  Seismic shift in human relationships
 Competitive pressures
 New forms of work organization
 New diversities
 Instant, multidimensional communications
 Advanced learning: from mobiles to MOOCs
 Quality standards

6. Patterns of constant change
 Permanent migration mobility
 Identity and threat: where are we?
 Demographic time-bombs
 Knowledge, innovation and democratic deficits
 Minorities and inclusion


11.  Interaction
 Empathy
 Communication
 Knowledge and shared insights
 Removal of prejudice
 Linked themes: gender, power, work, values

12.  Permit exchange
 Greater knowledge
 Presumed growth in tolerance,
acceptance, non-discrimination
 Enhanced learning

13. Vladimir Spidla (9.6.08)
 Promoting tolerance not enough
 Racism requires policies on diversity, laws,
anti-discrimination measures
 Ongoing issues around cost implications,
ambiguities, resistance, rights

14. •
•
•
•
Intercultural learning - integral part of language
learning and needs greater attention.
European migration patterns increase number of
people required to learn and speak another
language.
Overcoming cultural differences,
misunderstanding and disengagement key
components of communicative competence.
LANGO integrates cultural knowledge with
language learning to develop mutual
accommodation in multicultural societies.

15.  Mutual interaction or structured exclusion?
 Linkage to realities or past models?
 Shared memories or shared hatreds?
 Integration or exclusion?
 Access to learning
 Using advanced technologies
 Mobile learning

16.  Abandoning
 Arriving
 Applying
 Adapting

17.  Integrating in civil society
 Paramount importance of labor market
 Citizenship
 Language competence
 Multi-agency partnerships

18.  Managing diversity - principles involved
 Avoiding conflict
 Achieving integration
 Reinventing schooling
 Developing innovative learning
 Deriving mutual benefit

19.  Interculturalism training
 Mentoring: diversity champions
 Researched best practice: reviewed
 Linguistic skills
 Comfort with difference: trust
 Contact and observational listening

20. Valued linguistic diversity
 Community empowerment
 Mutual benefit
 ICT-transformed schooling
 Added value
 Mobile learning
 Shared learning
 Multilingual futures
 EU funding and support – 2014 and beyond


21. Challenging norms - what is our Europe?
 Challenging stereotypes
 Talent, competence and communicative empathy
 Engagement with difference
 Embedded vision
 Recognition - seeing the Other
seeing ourselves


22. Dr Alan Bruce
ULS
Dublin
abruce@ulsystems.com