The Lango project aims to enhance language learning for adults using innovative ICT tools, focusing on less widely taught languages like Bulgarian, Maltese, Greek, and Russian. It facilitates informal learning through engaging, mobile-based daily activities that pair language skills with cultural insights, addressing challenges in second language acquisition. The project promotes multilingualism and multicultural awareness among EU citizens while providing personalized learning experiences tailored to individual needs.

1. CREATIVE LANGUAGE LEARNING IN MOBILE
ENVIRONMENTS:
ICT SUPPORTED CREATIVITY IN THE LANGO PROJECT
Dr. Alan Bruce, ULS Ireland
Dr. Hedva Vital, Ha’kibbutzim College, Israel
EDEN Conference
Oslo, Norway
12 June 2013

2. Overview
LANGO – project designed to explore opportunities
offered by new advanced information and
communication technologies in encouragement of
adult learners of less widely used and taught
languages.
Interactive language learning approaches combined
with strong intercultural components: advanced
technological tools 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 building language competences, especially for learners
outside formal education systems
• Benefits of learning a language in informal settings
• Process of communicative competence acquisition often given little
attention
• New technologies give opportunities to develop modern learning tools
particularly in learning less widely used languages.

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

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

7. Informing Issues
• Intercultural learning is integral part of language learning and
needs greater attention.
• European migration patterns increase the numbers required to
learn and speak another language.
• Finding ways to overcome cultural differences,
misunderstanding and disengagement is key component of
communicative competence.
• LANGO integrates cultural knowledge with language learning to
develop mutual accommodation in multicultural societies.
• Creates 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
Addresses initial language learning
Focuses on what people typically need or want to say in 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, providing
benefits for lower academic levels
Supports improvement of linguistic and digital competence at the
same time

10. 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

11. LANGO approach
Language learning activities delivered in a
calendar format: each daily lesson associated
with a particular day of the calendar.
Learner needs to allocate only 10 minutes every
day of the year to maintain and build on
language skills
Introductory part of each lesson and the
instructions are translated into English to
support learners and increase comprehension.

12. Lesson Structure
1. Introduction – listening and recording of dialogue, short text
or language patterns
2. Daily activity: matching, multiple choice, filling in blanks,
etc.
3. A wordsearch game
The daily wordsearch game available via Facebook widgets

13. 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

14. Types of learning activities
Variety of entertaining learning activities 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

15. www.lango.eu

16. Splash Screen: user sees for 5-10 seconds before going to the home
screen. This shows the language that the user has downloaded

17. Language Screen: This is the main menu that leads the user to the 365 learning days of
the year. The user enters at a certain day of the year and follows the course from that day
on during an entire year.

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

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

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

21. Contact
www.lango.eu
Dr. Alan Bruce
abruce@ulsystems.com
Dr. Hedva Vital
hvital@marathon-group.net