Aeolis in European seminar
On Language Learning in Adult Education
A representative on behalf of Aeolis Cultural Development Society of Lesvos Island has attended the European seminar « Language Learning in Adult Education » that was organized by Agenzia Nazionale Lifelong Learning Programme Italia Partenariati di apprendimento Grundtvig, in the framework of the Life Long Learning Programme. The seminar took place in Bardonecchia, a beautiful village of 2000 inhabitants near Torino, Italy, from 30 September to 4 October 2009. 50 people from 17 european countries have participated to the seminar, all of them representatives of organizations that offer Language services to Adults (Foreign Language Schools, VET Centres, Non Governmental Organizations). The aim of the seminar was to focus on the following aspects of adult language learning: Exploiting European multilingual environment, Developing innovative learning methodologies, Fostering linguistic skills for social inclusion
"The EU now has 500 million citizens, 27 Member States, 3 alphabets and 23 EU official languages, some of them with a worldwide coverage. Some 60 other languages are also part of the EU heritage and are spoken in specific regions or by specific groups. In addition, immigrants have brought a wide range of languages with them: it is estimated that at least 175 nationalities are now present within the EU's borders."
" Languages are for everybody, whatever the age and whatever the reasons for wanting to learn. Learning a language can be an enjoyable and deeply rewarding experience. The main thing is to find a method that suits the needs and the amount of time adults have available: learn by themselves (self-teaching courses are available in a wide variety of languages and media, via television, radio programmes, and obviously the internet), learn with a teacher, learn at work (free or subsidised language courses offered by companies).
Concrete measures are needed for a large part of European society, which is still missing but on the advantages of multilingualism, especially for adults who are monolingual or still struggle with their first foreign language, school dropouts, senior citizens and other adults no longer in education. More work is necessary to facilitate language learning for adults", as Mrs Fiora Imberciadori, Head of the Italian National Agency, said.
Aeolis met with representatives of public and private institutions who are active in this field and discussed with them possible cooperation in the framework of specific thematic workshops organised by the Italian National Agency.
