1. SOCRATES II Community Action Programme in the Field of Education (2000 – 2006)

2. Leargas The Exchange Bureau Youth Work Service Vocational Education & Training Service Education Service

3. The Education Service Socrates National Agency Bi-lateral Programmes

4. 4 Objectives To contribute to the development of quality education, by: strengthening the European dimension in education promoting knowledge of EU languages promoting cooperation and mobility and removing obstacles encouraging educational innovation and exploring matters of common policy interest

5. Which countries can take part? 15 Member States EFTA-EEA (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) Associated Countries (with bilateral participation agreements) Central and Eastern Europe Countries Cyprus Malta Turkey Cooperation with third countries

6. Who can take part? Pupils, students and all other categories of learners All categories of staff involved in education (teachers, headteachers, administrators and managers, persons involved in guidance and counselling, inspectorate etc.) All types of educational institutions Local, regional and national authorities and ministries responsible for education

7. Who else? Public and private bodies which co- operate with educational establishments, in particular: Local and regional bodies Businesses Associations (including parents associations) Non-profit-making organisations Social partners Research centers

8. Programme structure 8 Actions School Education (Comenius) Higher Education (Erasmus) Other educational pathways (Grundtvig) Language learning (Lingua) Open and distance learning/New technologies (Minerva) Observation and innovation Joint actions Accompanying measures

9. Socrates II  Centralised Actions  Applications and grants managed centrally by Commission  Decentralised Actions  Applications and grants managed at National level by NA

10. The Role of the National Agency Information about the Programme Support to applicants Project Selection procedure Management of Community funds Ongoing support to projects Dissemination of project outcomes

11. Comenius School education Action 1School partnerships Action 2Training of school education staff Action 3Networks Preparatory Visits & Contact Seminars

12. Priorities Pupils with special educational needs Intercultural education, combat racism and xenophobia Equal opportunities for women and men Schools lacking experience in European cooperation Disadvantaged schools and pupils

13. Comenius 2 Language Assistants To contribute to linguistic & cultural awareness of pupils through contact with native speakers of other European languages To facilitate contributions to the academic and social life of schools and communities they serve To enable Language Assistants develop their linguistic, cultural and teaching skills

14. Application Process Application deadline 1 March 2004 Selection committee reviews application Initial response in May Matching process between national agencies Contract issued subject to successful matching with Host School July/August Briefing Meeting September Take up position September / October

15. Comenius 2.2 In-service Courses Includes a variety of professional development courses Modern language pedagogy and methodology Options to engage in work shadowing or industry placement For courses, refer to Comenius Catalogue of Courses on the website Deadline for applications: 16 Apr 2003 Average Grant of €1,500 Courses and shadowing for 1-4 weeks

16. Grundtvig- Adult Education & Other Educational Pathways  Grundtvig 1 European Cooperation Projects  Grundtvig 2 Learning Partnerships  Grundtvig 3 Individual Training Grants for Adult Education Staff  Grundtvig 4 Networks  Preparatory Visits & Contact Seminars

17. Grundtvig 1 European Co-Operation Projects Eligible Activities Development of training modules and courses Development of new teaching methodologies Research on adult education provision, and methodologies

18. Grundtvig 2 – Learning partnerships Small scale cooperation activities involving mobility Activities supported:  exchange of experiences and good practice  drafting and publishing of documentation on the cooperating activities  exhibitions and information material  partner meetings and seminars  exchange of staff and adult learners

19. GRUNDTVIG 3 Mobility for Training Open to: Trainers & Teachers working in both formal and non-formal adult education systems Managers and policy makers in adult education centres Counsellors, tutors & mentors working with adults Outreach workers facilitating the training process Lecturers in adult education Deadline: 1 st of March and 1 st of May 2004

20. GRUNDTVIG 3 Mobility for Training Mobility to undertake training courses in other participating countries. Courses can be sourced from Comenius/Grundtvig Database Courses are intended to cover areas of adult education methodology, language training and/or aspects of European interculturalism Training may include work shadowing and job placements

21. Benefits of Participation in Socrates Contribution to the quality of education Increased awareness of the importance of languages Professional development of teachers/educators Personal development – staff and learners Increased confidence Increased use of ICT Greater understanding of other cultures Impact on local communities Transfer of core skills and experience

22. Application Procedure

23. Further Information Website:www.leargas.ie/education Email: education@leargas.ie