V-Lang pretends to contribute to the promotion of innovative forms of language training by means of applying ICT on the design and implementation of language courses .
Specifically, V-Lang aims at widespread use of Virtual Learning settings in on line language training, already successfully tested by commercial products such as Language Lab.
The use of Virtual 3D Worlds in on line language training provides a full audio communication system which allows to put into practice students language skills in immersive and social environments, in Collaborative and Problem-Based Learning environments that promote their Creativity and Innovation.
To that end, V-Lang Strategy focuses on the development, experimentation and dissemination of a free Toolkit built upon Open Source that will allow the swift integration of Virtual Worlds in on line language learning .
Toolkit will provide a ready to install virtual village and classrooms allowing for immersive and collaborative training environments, as well as methodology guidelines for the integration and impact assessment of such approach into traditional on line language training
Final product will be an affordable and easy to use toolkit for language providers, and a very accessible and appealing environment for learners, especially those at risk of exclusion
Objectives:
1. To develop V-Lang Toolkit:
- Ready to use and upgradable Virtual World containing a virtual village, virtual classes and meeting halls
- Open source software for the on line management of the training experiences by teachers and students
- Methodology Guidelines on the integration of on line/blended & virtual learning
2. To carry out Pilot Testing in 3 EU countries
3. To widely disseminate the project results in order to raise awareness among companies and educational entities of the possibilities offered by this kind of training.
The V-Lang Project Conference on “Future Language Learning Now: Innovative Applications and Methods for Language Training” aimed to examine the practical and theoretical issues surrounding the topic and addressed a wide range of issues concerning ICT, language learning and virtual worlds took place in Warsaw on the 17th of November, 2011.
In June V-lang virtual platform introduced to the SIH Day Camp students
English lesson was run on the V-lang virtual platform for young learners from SIH English camp at the beginning of June. With the English teacher in another classroom and using V-lang platform and interactive board , children could visit virtual classrooms and at the same time listen to their teachers voice.
V-lang project presented to SIH teachers
In April, the V-lang project and the created virtual platform were presented to teachers at SIH.
They had the opportunity to not only learn about the ideas of the project, but also try a virtual training environment, create their own avatars, visit virtual classroom.
Adult Learners’ Week, 15th - 21st November, 2010
On the 15th - 21st November, 2010 there was an annual (11th) Adult Learners’ Week coordinated by the Lithuanian Association of Adult Education. Like every year, Soros International House participated in the Adult Learners’ Week and organized various events: a competition “My beloved teacher”, open lessons “Visit each other, learn from each other” for public and students, teachers of SIH, a seminar for language teachers “Educational video films in a lesson”.
During the Adult Learners’ Week we arranged an exhibition of children and teenagers artwork who participated in the EUROCHILD talent competition and Lifelong Learning and Nordplus programme projects’ exhibition “Learning myself and teaching others”.
On the 26th of November teachers of SIH Lauryna Butrimienė and Robin Alexander Muck arranged a seminar “The Unity of Teaching and Learning Methods and Tools when Organizing a Successful English Lesson” for the emplyees of Pakruojis Adults and Youth education centre and teachers from Pakruojis region. International project coordinator Nijolė Šmitaitė presented projects being implemented by SIH under Lifelong Learning and Nordplus programmes.
Partners Meeting in Patras, Greece, September 2010
Second meeting of the project V-Lang-Creative and open Language Training in Virtual Worlds took place in Patras Greece. Project partners were presented conclusions from Best practice research, discussed methodology guidlines proposal, took part in the demonstration of V-lang Virtual World (interactive session ) discussed future tasks and deadlines.
Partners Meeting in Pamploma, Spain, March 2010
Kick off meeting of the the project V-Lang -Creative and Open Language Training in Virtual Worlds took place in Pamploma, Spain. The meeting was attended by partners from Lithuania, Greece, Germany, and project coordinators from Spain. During the meeting partners shared tasks and responsibilities, discussed the work-plan and possibilities for dissemination.
