Elelments of learning and innovation in ICT support for language learning. Mobile applications for Greek, Bulgarian, Russian and Maltese in the EU LANGO project.

1. Interactive Mobile Language Learning in a Changing Europe:
ICT Approaches in the LANGO Project
Dr. Alan Bruce, ULS Ireland
Diana Tsotova, Eurinform, Bulgaria
ICT for Language Learning
International Conference (5th Edition)
Firenze, Italia
15 November 2012

2. Overview
LANGO is a project that was designed to explore opportunities offered by
new advanced information and communication technologies in the
encouragement of adult learners of less widely used and taught
languages.
Interactive language learning approaches have been combined with a strong
intercultural component so that combined advanced technological tools
help to motivate language learning and give insights into culture,
traditions and everyday habits.

3. LANGO
Language On The Go: e-Calendar to Encourage Language Learning
Project No 519242-LLP-1-2011-1-BG-KA2-KA2MP
Target users:
 Adult language learners (18+)
 People participating in EU mobility for study and
work
 Immigrants
 Other people wishing to develop their language
skills in the target languages for personal reasons
(cultural interest, friends, business contacts, etc.)

4. Challenges of second language acquisition
• Modern research on challenges and issues around second language
acquisition focus on developing awareness, competence and fluency
• Role of ICT in gradual building language competences, especially for
learners outside the system of formal education
• Benefits of learning a language in informal settings
• Process of communicative competence acquisition often given little
attention despite declared application of communicative
methodologies
• New technologies give opportunities to develop modern learning tools
which can support language learners in general and, particularly, for
those learning less widely used languages.

5. Learner needs
• Understandable content of language learning material
• Real-life language to increase learner opportunities to use
their language skills in direct communication
• Using translation to support learners and increase
comprehensibility: the LANGO approach is to use English as
a ‘lingua franca’ so that to reach out a great number of learners
who may be native speakers of various languages
• Transferability: translations into native languages can be easily be
integrated and replace the English translation (e.g. as
specific customer-tailored editions of the tool)

6. LANGO: Language On the Go
EU funded project
• Innovative e-learning tool to teach learners
Bulgarian, Maltese, Greek and Russian
• ICT assisted language learning
• Language learning through a mobile phone

7. Informing Issues
• Intercultural learning is an integral part of language learning and needs
to receive greater attention.
• European migration patterns increase the number of people required to
learn and speak another language.
• Finding ways to overcome cultural differences, misunderstanding and
disengagement is a key component of communicative competence.
• LANGO aims to integrate cultural knowledge with language learning to
develop mutual accommodation in multicultural societies by creating
understanding, respect and dialogue.

8. Strategic aims
• Provide immediate benefits to adult learners who want to further their
competence in learning less widely used languages
• Facilitate easy movement of citizens within EU higher education for
purposes of further study or employment
• Promote multilingual and multicultural awareness among all user groups
in the longer term.

9. Rationale
LANGO
Addresses initial language learning
Focuses on what people typically need or want to say in the initial
communication stages
Integrates technology for individualized and independent learning
in terms of pace, time and place (home, work, on the move, etc.)
Provides access to authentic online learning material
Uses applications which do not require advanced skills and provide
benefits even for lower academic levels
Supports improvement of linguistic and digital competence at the
same time

10. Advantages
LANGO users
• Gradually build upon their initial language
competences
• Allocate a very short time per day to language learning
activities using flexible electronic platforms
• Learn a language on their own without the advantages
and disadvantages of a formal language course

11. Specific aims of LANGO tool
• Enable A1 learners to gradually reach a higher level of the
target language
• Introduce and practice frequently used language patterns
• Develop communicative skills: listening comprehension,
spoken interaction and spoken production as well as basic
reading skills
• Motivation: easy language input through real life
communicative situations
• Increase level of cultural awareness of learner

12. Learning principles
1) functional-notional: learning to
recognize communicative functions and
express concepts and ideas related to
these functions
2) situational-topical principle: taking into
account topics and the user needs
related to the most frequent everyday
communication situations

13. LANGO approach
Language learning activities are delivered in a
calendar format: delivery of each daily lesson is
associated with a particular day of the calendar.
The learner will need to allocate only 10 minutes
every day of the year to maintain and build upon
their language skills
The introductory part of each lesson and the
instructions are translated into English to support
the learners and increase comprehension.

14. Structure of the lesson
1. Introduction – Listening and recording of a dialogue,
short text or language patterns
2. Daily activity: matching, multiple choice, filling in the
blanks, etc.
3. A wordsearch game
 The daily wordsearch game will be also available via
Facebook widgets

15. Learning content
• The learning content for each of the four target languages is
divided between generic topics common to A1-A2 language
curriculum (CEFR) and country specific culture topics.
• The content is delivered inside a specifically designed template.
• On the last day of the month users receive a short quiz to check
how well they have learnt the monthly content. This helps users
to control their progress.
• Additional materials to support the learner:
 a short grammar reference
 a talking dictionary

16. Types of learning activities
• A variety of entertaining learning activities are
designed to motivate the learner to practice language
patterns without getting bored:
 Multiple choice with text, sound or picture
 Matching pairs (text or pictures)
 Ordering sequences
 Media triggers
 Categorizing different language areas
 Listening to dialogue, recording oneself and listening to
learner’s own recording
 Wordsearch games based on a sound trigger

17. www.lango.eu

18. Dimensions: Community
• Change
• Inclusion
• Institutional legacies (such as formal schooling)
• Migration
• Narratives of the migrant voyage
• Common connectivity

19. DIMENSIONS: learning/Pedagogy
• Reflective learning
• Ease of access
• Relevance
• Applicability
• Flexibility
• Attractive learning architecture

20. Dimensions: technology
• Mobile
• Design quality
• Accessibility
• Simplicity
• Adaptability

21. Dimensions:: Personal
• Engagement
• Link to daily life/activities
• Purpose
• Functionality
• Worth and value
• Motivation
• Validation.

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