How to learn a language: Co-constructing Language Learning Strategies in Adult Literacy

<< Background >>This project aimed at improving efficacy in language and literacy tuition of LESLLA learners. LESLLA is an acronym for Literacy Education and Second Language Learning for Adults, and it refers to the second language and literacy learning of adult migrants who have had, previous to migration, no or very limited access to education. Education is a human right (UNESCO, 2013), and for LESLLA learners, this right has been violated. We feel that as members of high income countries and as educational practitioners and researchers, it is our responsibility to contribute to the question of how to serve this group of learners in the best possible way. We believe that these learners bring their own funds of knowledge to the classroom and we need to take their contributions into account. We believe that it is important to support this group in improving their language and literacy skills, as these skills are related to participation in social life and on the labour market, as well as to health and wellbeing.<< Objectives >>The project helps shift the focus in the LESLLA classroom from product to process. Even in the best LESLLA practices, learners only follow classes for a limited amount of time. Learning a new language and improving literacy however, is a lifelong endeavour, and schools should equip learners with those skills needed to proceed in this endeavour, teacher independently. The project will equip the teachers with tools and knowledge that enables them to make this shift. One of the outcomes of the project we focused on, is a series of short animated films that will serve as conversation starters for teachers in groups with LESLLA-learners. The videos, with voice overs in the (most common) languages of the learners, will enable future LESLLA teachers and learners to discuss the topic of how to proceed in language learning. These videos are now available online for all teachers and learners to use. With the videos, we aim at achieving sustainable impact of the project on the LESLLA practitioners' focus on learning how to learn and improve their learners’ L2 language and literacy skills, improve their social participation, position on the labour market, their health and wellbeing.<< Implementation >>The 4 teachers on the project team ran 5 blocks of strategy focused interventions, monitored by the 4 researchers with which they formed a couple. Teachers and researchers kept diaries and evaluated with learners. All insights and experiences were shared in the monthly online project team meetings. To support the pilots the project team produced descriptions per strategy, diary formats, a teachers competencies list, instruction sheet for bilingual assistants, etc.We then produced the five animated videos, covering the most impactful strategic interventions. The project team was involved in all steps: selecting the five strategies, producing scripts, giving feedback during the animation development process and finding and guiding translators and voice over actors for the voice overs in 8 different languages. Teachers and researchers produced documents, a screencast and learner stories which help teachers to work with learning strategies with LESLLA learners. We developed a website for all these products under guidance of the project manager, with input from and feedback of the project team during the monthly meetings. All project members played a role in the dissemination of our insights and products.<< Results >>We produced a website (www.How2LearnL2.eu) which serves as a self study platform and toolbox for teachers. Here they can find all they need to make a start with guiding LESLLA learners in their process to learn how to learn a language:-five animated videos for a learning strategy, each one with voice overs in eight different languages. -per strategy a description of the strategy and an inspiration sheet for the teacher about how to work with the animation and the strategy with LESLLA learners-two extra inspiration sheets about strategies we considered valuable but weren’t able to process into animations due to lack of budget for extra animations-four learners stories-a tutorial and an instruction sheet for teachers and for bilingual assistants.-a competencies list for teachers and an ‘instruction’ and invitation for starting to work on their own competencies for guiding LESLLA learners how to learn-five FAQs for teachers-nine blogs in English, translated and available in many other languages as well. In total 54 blogs.During the project more than 60 LESLLA learners developed their learning skills and six LESLLA teachers gained more competencies for guiding LESLLA learners in learning to learn a L2.