Case Studies

The information for the Case Study was collected during an interview with Catherine Samper, teacher in charge of European Projects at the “Lycée des Catalins” of Montélimar, France. Catherine Samper represents the promoting institution of the "Réalisation de séquences animées sur le thème de la prévention routière" project.

The background of the "Réalisation de séquences animées sur le thème de la prévention routière" project is based on the fact that the Rhone-Alpes Region finances different projects whose aim is to develop a shared awareness about the road safety theme. The “Lycée des Catalins” is a professional institute which organizes some courses aimed to train future bus drivers. For this reason, the project intends to improve the language skills of this specific job figure.

The project target group is composed by the students of the “Lycée des Catalins” of Montélimar.

The project target languages are English and French.

The "Réalisation de séquences animées sur le thème de la prévention routière" project responds to different objectives: to improve the English language teaching, to deal with the road safety theme, to rediscover the pleasure of learning, to develop the teamwork, to know something more about the animated films, to involve all the teachers. By the synergy between English language and animated film, students have the possibility to work directly on a concrete subject, improving their language skills.

The "Réalisation de séquences animées sur le thème de la prévention routière" project has followed different steps: the writing of documents, the contact with specific organisms in France (for the technical aspects of the project) and Australia (for the linguistic aspects), the partnership with the “Folimage studio” of Valence, the selection of animated films as case studies, the preparation of the pictures, the creation of a technical vocabulary based on specific grammatical units (comparison and modality), the search for external funding.

From a didactic point of view, the project signed a deep increase in English teaching activities, through an initiative which was welcomed with a great enthusiasm by the students. From a technical point of view, the project marked the realization of 4 mini-animated films about the road safety.

“Lycée des Catalins” of Montélimar, the "Réalisation de séquences animées sur le thème de la prévention routière" project promoter, decided to submit the application for the European Language Label with the aim to receive further funding for the project activities as well as to increase its visibility.

“Lycée des Catalins” initial expectations were partially met. The institute did not succeed in finding new funding nor new partners, but it was able to guarantee a European visibility to the project activities and contributed to a better national success (national award gained).

The project promoter used the Label logo on all the documents related to the "Réalisation de séquences animées sur le thème de la prévention routière" initiative and on all the activities carried out by the institute.

The project acquired a better visibility and its quality was officially certified. The European Language Label had a strong impact on the project which participated to the “Journée de la culture” and obtained a national award. Furthermore, the award made teachers more responsible about their role and students more curious about the linguistic and technical aspects of the project.

In order to develop a quality project in the field of Language learning, the “Lycée des Catalins”, the project promoter, advices to correctly structure the project and to reflect about the method it is inspired by. In addition, the project should not be too difficult but it should clarify the main objectives it has been written for.

A good network is, according to the project promoter, the best way to exploit the European Language Label. Once obtained this official recognition, it is necessary to communicate it to present and potential partners, using the Label itself as the better possible presentation of the activities carried out by the institute. By a continuous sharing of information, it is possible to create solid relations upon which it is possible to build new experiences and projects.

The NELLIP Network selected the "Réalisation de séquences animées sur le thème de la prévention routière" project for its consistency with the political priorities of the European Commission in the field of language learning. In particular, the "Réalisation de séquences animées sur le thème de la prévention routière" project enhances the quality of language teaching, because it improves the English language teaching through the use of a specific vocabulary adopted for concrete situations. Also, the project promotes a non formal and informal education, because it trains students through the realization of animated films concerning the road safety. An innovative and practical approach which can positively meet the vocational aim of the school, whose students have to constantly been motivated thanks to a direct contact with the subjects of study.

The project was selected as case study by the French National Agency “Europe-Education-Formation”.