Blended Learning in English Language Teaching: Course Design and Implementation

Abstract of the Project

The technological developments in the 21st century have sparked a great deal of transformation in education. Especially, technologically equipped classrooms with smart boards enable all students to benefit from e-contents much more efficiently and effectively. Students’ devices such as tablets, computers, laptops, smartphones, and e-readers also make them learn and practice the subjects again and again with the help of using them anytime and anywhere. So, the advantages of technological devices make learning more accessible and practical for students.

Blended learning model can be described as a combination of offline (face-to-face, traditional learning) and online learning in a way that the one completes the other. It may sound like a natural product of the digital domains creeping into physical spaces. This project mainly focuses on a complementary approach adapted to the traditional curriculum for schools. This is going to be a 10-module-program in English language teaching. There is no current blended learning model applied in schools. So, this program makes our project an innovative one.

The motivation for the creation of this project was primarily the need for online education tools and applications integrated into English language teaching. In response to this need, it was decided that “Blended Learning Approach”, which combines face-to-face education with online teaching tools, would be the most useful and most appropriate method for this project. The advantages of the devices with ease of transport and internet connection in reinforcing the subjects make mobile learning and face-to-face training complement each other. Thus, compared to traditional learning approaches, blended learning provides a learning model with superior features.

Project goals

Combine traditional education methods with technology-supported materials or blended learning models;
To create and implement a Blended Learning Program for English language classes at partner schools (secondary schools);
To create an online platform with an English teaching program with four skills (Moodle);
To prepare digital teaching materials for the curriculum of English as a second language;
To prepare the teachers for the effective implementation of the new program;
To plan blended lessons;
To manage distance education environments (Moodle);
To make the lessons interesting and keep students motivated;
To monitor and evaluate learning and provide feedback;
To increase the knowledge and skills of teachers regarding digital education.
To integrate mobile devices into the lesson
To use technology more effectively and safely
To ensure the continuation of learning outside the classroom
To exchange ideas and work in cooperation with European colleagues

Funding

Erasmus + Program (European Union)

Project Reference

2020-1-IT02-KA226-SCH- 095643

Period

2021-06-20 to 2023-06-19

Duration

24 months

Researchers

Professora Anabela Mateus
Professora Ana Cunha
Doutor Bruno Lino

Partners

The project has 4 entities from 4 countries of the as follow:
Mayis Anadolu Lisesi – Turkey
Eurospeak Language Schools Ltd. – United Kingdom
Institut Francesc Macià – Spain
Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias (ULHT) – Portugal