Heidrun Peters, Director Seagull Smart Educational Autonomy through Guided Language Learning Workshop Greifswald 11/12 November 2011

Heidrun Peters, Director The idea behind language partnerships: Bringing people together to learn each other’s languages

Heidrun Peters, Director The advantages of language exchange Direct contact between representatives of different cultures Authentic communication „Internationalization at home“ Being in charge of one’s learning Equal partnership

Heidrun Peters, Director Our idea Professional and institutional support for learners who use the language exchange method

Heidrun Peters, Director Where is professional support necessary?

Heidrun Peters, Director Selection of topics and progression Knowing what is difficult for learners and helping with explanations Acquisition of learning techniques Motivation and self-discipline Goal-oriented and productive interaction Reflexion about and consolidation of new knowledge Evaluation and acknowledgement of results

Heidrun Peters, Director Different Forms of Tandem – different support requirements 1. Autonomous Learning of single persons (for example in Seagull): Support is needed in all areas and will be delivered via the learning platform (Moodle) 2. Group Tandems (for example in Win-Win for language and culture) Classroom lessons determine topics and tasks for Skype-meetings and written assignments.

Heidrun Peters, Director Structural elements of Seagull 1. Tandem partner database (separate, online) 2. Virtual Learning platform with Topic sheets (new name!) Guidelines with learning techniques and rules Didactic Handouts for the native speaker A collection of links for individual practice

Heidrun Peters, Director Structural Elements in „Win-Win for Language and Culture“ Group lessons covering all subject matter and incorporating the various language skills Assistance from the instructor to focus on results, motivation and reflexion Individual responsibility of the learner to carry out the Skype- sessions with his/her learning partner (Proof through use of a protocol possible) Joint organisation and close cooperation between the instructors („Team teaching“)

Heidrun Peters, Director The advantages of group tandems Easily incorporated into curricular education with the award of ECTS-points External motivation (mandatory) und internal motivation (voluntary): out of interest Less time and effort involved in the preparation of materials compared with autonomous tandems (everyone follows their textbook ) Quality assurance due to a clearly defined clientele and coaching Improvement of communicative skills through one-to-one communication

Heidrun Peters, Director Synergy: Topic sheets for autonomous tandems can also be used for group tandems when appropriate The collection of links is suitable for use in every type of autonomous learning

Heidrun Peters, Director A new type of group learning: Team teaching 2 groups from different countries learn a foreign language together Stellenbosch-Ciescyn project This could be an interesting option if there are not enough learning partners available for the „smaller“ languages.

Heidrun Peters, Director Conclusion: The two tandem forms – Autonomous tandems und group tandems require a different approach and different types of cooperation. Team teaching has certain advantages.

Heidrun Peters, Director Progress since Workshop I Seagull: Completion of the German topic sheets for all levels (A1-B2) Completion of a new tandem partner databank (see afternoon programme) Creation of around 40 tandem pairs A survey of the above tandem partners

Heidrun Peters, Director Results of the survey (17 answers, not representative) -Almost solely in person tandems or (no video or chat) -None of the tandem pairs had the goal of receiving ECTS points -Topics were generally chosen spontaneously, only a quarter of the sessions involved pre-prepared topics -Mistakes were tolerated in a „very understanding“ manner -Some participants would have liked more corrections -There was very positive feedback from a Polish student who had made use of the German topic sheets and other guidance material

Heidrun Peters, Director Progress since Workshop I Win-Win: Application, conception, DAAD-funding. Implementation since October 2011 Following this introduction my colleagues will report on the Win-Win courses thus far.

Heidrun Peters, Director Vielen Dank für Ihre Aufmerksamkeit! Thank you for your attention! Спасибо за Ваше внимание!