Comenius Induction Meeting, Rome 13 November 2009

1. Fiorenza Congedo
ITIS Marconi, Verona
Comenius Assistantship and eTwinning Induction Meeting
Rome, 13 November 2009
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2.  It refers both to a person’s ability to use
several languages and the co-existence
of different language communities in
one geographical area
 European Union’s Motto “Unity in
diversity” is a powerful symbol of the
European Union’s aspiration to be
united in diversity
Fiorenza Congedo – ITIS Marconi, Verona
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3.  Encouraging language learning and
promoting linguistic diversity
 Promoting a healthy multilingual
economy
 Promoting social integration through
improved knowledge and acceptance
of languages
Fiorenza Congedo – ITIS Marconi, Verona
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4.  Language is an arbitrary system of
sounds and symbols which is used for
many purposes by a group of people
 Languages differ from each other in their
sounds, grammar, vocabulary, and
patterns of discourse
 Languages have a huge vocabulary
available to meet the needs of its users
Fiorenza Congedo – ITIS Marconi, Verona
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5.  Languages define personal identities but
are also part of a shared inheritance
 Each language has its own way of
seeing the world and it’s the product of
its own particular history
 All languages have their individual
identity and value, and all are equally
adequate as ways of expression for the
people who use them
Fiorenza Congedo – ITIS Marconi, Verona
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6.  Languages are related to each other like
the members of a family
 Most of the languages in Europe can be
grouped together, because of their
common origins, as a single, large Indo-
European language family
 The families in Europe with the most
member-languages and the most
speakers are the Germanic, Romance,
and Slavic
Fiorenza Congedo – ITIS Marconi, Verona
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7.  All European citizens live in a
multilingual environment
 In their daily routine citizens come
across many different languages
 The consequence is a growing interest
and curiosity about languages
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8.  Increasing popular knowledge and
understanding of the diversity of the
languages of Europe
 Enhancing linguistic tolerance within
and between nations
 Improving knowledge of the factors
affecting the maintenance and growth of
languages
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9.  Languages are an instrument to improve
mutual understanding and integration
 Knowledge of languages is a key factor
of employability and mobility for citizens
 Languages remove barriers to
interaction between cultures
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10.  It offers a wide range of actions
designed to support language learning
 It promotes the linguistic and cultural
diversity in Europe
 It provides access to high quality
learning opportunities to everyone
regardless of age or ability
 It encourages language learning in and
out of school
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11. • EU citizens who can speak more than one
foreign language and demonstrate the
intercultural skills that this brings have
more chances of obtaining a better job
• Encouraging exchanges, partnerships and
e-twinning in education and training
programmes
Fiorenza Congedo – ITIS Marconi, Verona
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12.  Living languages and cultures are
constantly changing
 People influence each other in the way
they speak and write
 Languages are always in contact with
each other, and affect each other in
many ways
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13.  ICT tools are a support for language
learning and communication
 New media give languages fresh
opportunities to grow
 ICT tools give us concrete ways to keep
in touch with our friends around Europe
 The use of ICT for teaching and learning
languages is improving
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14.  Technological progress permits virtually
instant contact with anyone anywhere
 Learning foreign languages is the best
way to acquire knowledge about other
cultures, values and way of thinking
 The use of technologies and networking
gives challenges of widening the choice
of languages
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15.  Globalisation and advances in technology
have produced many changes in
European society
 Europeans now encounter more and more
people from other countries
 Growing numbers of Europeans live in a
country other than their country of origin
 Ensuring effective intercultural
communication is fundamental
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16. Fiorenza Congedo – ITIS Marconi, Verona
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17. Fiorenza Congedo
ITIS Marconi, Verona
fiorenza.congedo@istruzione.it
Comenius Assistantship and eTwinning Induction Meeting
Rome, 13 November 2009
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