TAsk-based laNguage teaching anD collaborative lEarning for upskilling low-qualified Migrants

OECD’s Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC) has shed light on the number of low-qualified adults in Europe who lack key competences. Moreover, the population of migrants keeps growing, and they generally have lower education levels and higher unemployment rates than natives (Eurostat, 2017). Low-qualified adults, both migrant and local, are at risk of social and economic exclusion: TANDEM intends to provide them with opportunities to improve their key competences through non-formal learning methodologies, in order to boost their employability and participation in society as strongly emphasised by the Council Recommendation on Upskilling Pathways.OBJECTIVESTANDEM - TAsk-based laNguage teaching anD collaborative lEarning for upskilling low-qualified Migrants aims to improve low-qualified migrants’ key competences and employability, enabling them to capitalise on their linguistic abilities through an innovative learning opportunity based on non-formal methodologies, and promoting cultural exchange and peer-learning between low-skilled migrant and local adults. TANDEM shall hence develop an innovative upskilling pathway based on the Task-Based Language Teaching methodology, providing migrants with a set of tools enabling them to teach their languages. TANDEM will involve six partners from Italy, Greece, Austria, Denmark, Cyprus, Germany, chosen for their experience in the field of innovative education methodologies, language teaching and digital tools, their knowledge of the project’s target groups. The partners will collaborate to the development of the project’s outputs and the implementation of its activities. ACTIVITIES-Mapping of linguistic diversity, Skills screening and needs analysis, to create an interactive map of Language Communities and Skills (IO1)-Focus groups with teachers on Task-based Language teaching (TBLT), development and finalization of an Open Textbook on Task-Based Language Teaching (IO2)-Design of 5 learning modules and of a MOOC on TBLT (IO3) to be piloted in blended learning with 15 low-skilled migrants; delivery of a mock class by low-qualified migrants participating in the blended learning for 15 low-qualified locals as a final step of the pilot-testing-Development of a hand-out for cultural & language exchanges (IO4) and arrangement of language cafés workshops to pilot-test the hand-out with low-qualified migrants (15) and locals (15)-Set-up and adjustment of a Framework on Skills Screening, Monitoring and Validation (IO5), inspired by ECVET and oriented to learning outcomes, also including a badge and certificate system to ensure the validation of skills acquired through non formal learning-TANDEM Open Classes (E1-6) organized in each partner country to present the project’s results and to give an opportunity for the target groups to test the methodologies acquired with IO3 and the IO4 -TANDEM Language Bazaars (E7-12): organized to present TANDEM project and its results, and to engage participants in the Language Bazaars involving low-qualified migrants-Training of Trainers (C1) aimed at enhancing their knowledge of the target groups and of the methodologies to be used during the blended learning, the Language Cafés, the framework and the multiplier eventsRESULTS and IMPACTThe project will have an impact on low-qualified adults, both migrants and locals, organisations working with the targets, language centres, and relevant stakeholders in each partner country.The main results that TANDEM sets to achieve are:- Newly-created upskilling pathway leading to a strengthened ability among low-qualified migrants to capitalize on existing skills and to improved employability- Enhanced key competences of low qualified migrants and acquired innovative methodology for non-formal language teaching based on TBLT approach- Improved self-awareness of migrants’ skills and ability to turn their competences into assets for their personal development, upskilling and employment- Improved intercultural understanding and language skills of both migrant and local low-skilled adults and new opportunities for interaction among migrant and local communities opened- Increased social inclusion and enhanced sense of belonging to a shared communityLONGER-TERM BENEFITSTANDEM will ensure the prolonged availability of its results and products on the project website and partners’ dissemination channels. Adult education organisations, associations working with the target, language centers, additional low-skilled adults across EU countries will be able to use the materials produced and the methodologies promoted by the project in their professional work. Moreover, participants will be encouraged (and given tools) to go on with the project activities and language exchanges after the completion of the project, enhancing the TANDEM’s potential for long-term impact, such as improved knowledge of foreign languages and social cohesion.