INNOVATION PROPOSED

The creation of the distance-learning multimedia multi-language interactive Programme for initial vocational schools instructors /ELCIT/ linked to their threshold or basic language competence and relevant subject knowledge is an entirely new development. Such a specific language competences tool does not exist yet.

In the first stage of the project the project team will carry out a research aimed at identification of specific work-related English language skills and competences linked to the selected vocational fields and relevant parts of the vocational training school's curricula in partners' countries.

Following the first stage the partners will develop a matrix of specific work-related language skills and competences for the initial vocational schools instructors of locksmiths, bricklayers, hairdressers, and seamstresses.

In the next stage the five countries partnership will create and test through a set of mini-pilots and pilots four interactive multi-language programme modules (Czech - English, Slovak - English, Spanish - English, Portuguese - English).

The design of the newly-created modules will enable the instructors of technical subjects at initial vocational training schools to apply their new work-related language skills in their "on the job" and "through the job" training programmes.

In the last stage of the project the partnership will also design and run a set of multilingual self-assessment interactive testing tools for the acquired English language competences, using a pragmatic combination of state-of-the-art technologies as well as more traditional testing methodologies, including a log book to provide a continuous and detailed feedback for the designers and developers of the programme (See section D.1.2). The self-assessment tools will respect the needs of vocational training schools instructors of locksmiths, bricklayers, hairdressers, and seamstresses, as well as advice of assessment experts. Partners from initial vocational schools will provide a continuous feedback.

Drawing on the experience of partners chosen because of their involvement in similar projects and activities (see section D.2.) and taking the vocational schools needs and experience as the context for the assessment tasks, a comprehensive mini-pilot will test the feasibility of the methodology and design of the interactive multi-language multimedia modules and the self-assessment testing set, a full pilot in all four bilingual settings will test the content, all facilitated by partners selected for their access to vocational schools instructors, trainees and apprentices (i.e. the target and end-users groups).

The participant target groups (the vocational training schools instructors) will record their newly acquired competence in a portfolio-style record of work-related language competences, designed for the sample group providing for the newly acquired language competences self-assessment and for the continuous evaluation of both the mini-pilot and the full pilot. Guidelines for the project participants using each segment of the product will be made available.

The final product – the four multimedia interactive multi-language modules will be designed and delivered in three basic formats:

a) as a stand-alone multimedia application to be used on computers without an Internet connection (CD-ROM version)
b) as web based version of the above to be used via the net
c) as a hardcopy toolkit with a CD to be used for off-line self-study, practice and reference

All the modules of the Programme will be designed as an "open systems" to enable future adjustments and extensions to other vocational schools technical subjects areas.