Lifelong Learning Programme

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission.
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basic information

Title of the Project
Northern-Ostrobotnian Network of Distance Learning
Brief description
The Northern-Ostrobotnian Network of Distance Learning Schools (NONDLS) is a network of 23 upper secondary schools (grades 10-12) spread around the region of Northern Ostrobotnia in the province of Oulu, where in a geographically wide area several languag
Country
Finland
Year
2003
Target Language
English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Swedish, Other
Sector
School Education
Adult Education
Further Information

THE INITIATIVE PROMOTER’S PERSPECTIVE

Background

There was seen a need for upper secondary training among the adults in the region of Northern Ostrobotnia. The adults should be able to learn in their own region. The only upper secondary school that offers training for adults is situated in the city of Oulu and the distances to get to the schools are very long for many people.

Objectives

The aim is to offer people in the Nothern Ostrobotnia region the possibility to learn at home by using distance learning methods that are not related to time or place. They are able to get the national examination as a result of the studies. Another aim was to offer more languages to learn for those who attend the school and learn in classroom. This learning is carried out by the methods and materials of distance learning.

Approach

A common selection of languages on offer has been developed in the network and it is offered for people in the region. Online language learning material has been created and the methods of fblended learning have been developed. Also new material for the transition period from the comprehensive school to the upper secondary school has been created.
Different learners and different learning styles are taken into account in the learning materials and in stdent guidance and tutoring. The speaking skills are developed by various methods and the writing skills are improved in special writing courses which support to write essaies.

Results

A network of 23 upper secondary schools offers distance training for more than 500 students in a geographically large area in Finland.

Why the European Language Label?

The results of the project were succesful and encouraged for further work in this field.
A common selection of languages on offer has been developed in the network and it is offered for people in the region. Online language learning material has been created and the methods of fblended learning have been developed. Also new material for the transition period from the comprehensive school to the upper secondary school has been created.
Different learners and different learning styles are taken into account in the learning materials and in stdent guidance and tutoring. The speaking skills are developed by various methods and the writing skills are improved in special writing courses which support to write essaies.
More information about the project results: www.elukio.fi

Activities following the award of the European Language Label

The teachers that participated in the project have been asked to share their experiences and present the project in many occasions. There have been presentations of the project activities and results in national events and training days organised by the Finnish Board of Education.

Assessment of the Impact of the European Language Label

There was seen interest for the project activities and results by other teachers and among other subjects to be taught. An active cooperation and development work between different teachers and other agents began. The language label was an excellent recognition for having found and created proper ways of organizing the training and choosing the approaches.

THE NELLIP NETWORK’S PERSPECTIVE

Consistency with European Policies in the field of Language Learning

1.Comprehensive approach. Every element of the language initiative should ensure that the needs of the students are identified and met.
2.Added value. Initiatives should provide a tangible improvement in the teaching and learning of languages in their national context.
3. Initiatives should be original and creative. They should introduce previously unknown approaches to language learning

THE NATIONAL AGENCY’S PERSPECTIVE

Motivations

A big variety of languages to be learnt in a not densely populated area. The results of the project are easy to transfer to other places and contexts.

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21 December 2014

Audio- video presentation of the NELLIP project

An audio- video presentation of the NELLIP project has been created and made available in the Information section of the NELLIP portal. To access the presentation please click here: http://nellip.pixel-online.org/IF_intro.php.