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Project idea and plan

  • eTwinning project “EFL friends”

    About the project

    The aim of the project is for young EFL learners to be able to communicate, integrate and interact between countries and to obtain more confidence in their EFL skills. Every month there will be one theme they work on (things about themselves, school, pets/animals) in order to interact with each other demonstrating all the differences and similarities between their countries. The final product of the project would be a kind of online portfolio made by the children containing their works (drawings, photos, pictures, digital products made with different 2.0 Web tools). 

    Aims

    The aims of the project are to make kids more confident in using simple English and improve their EFL skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking), but also to become open to intercultural exchanges and integration by creating an awareness of their likes and dislikes, similarities and differences. Since some of the activities will involve using different 2.0 Web tools, the kids will be able to improve their ICT skills as well.

    Work process

    The project will start mid February and last till May 2016. Every month there would be one theme they would have to work on using different methods (drawings, pictures, online web tools, etc.) All work should be completed within the time limits stipulated on the project. The work plan is as follows:

    MID FEBRUARY 2016

    First greetings and introductions by the children. Using simple sentences the kids introduce themselves to their new friends (ex. Hello, my name is…. I am …. years old. I live in ….. I go to school in ….. My favourite colour is….. My favourite cartoon is ….. My favourite book is… My birthday is in … (a month)).

    • the introduction by the kids can be done: using a video done in class, creating a Voki avatar (www.voki.com) or use drawing and writings to introduce themselves. All works will be uploaded in their Twinspace members' folders and pages/sub-pages and shared with all participants.
    • a photo of their school or class is also expected. 

    MARCH 2016

    Likes and dislikes. Using I like/ don’t like the kids present the things which they like or dislike (food, sports, animals, school subjects…)

    • make a PPT presentation, or use drawings/pictures and writings. All works will be uploaded in their Twinspace folders and pages/sub-pages and shared with all participants.

    Design a Project logo. The kids think and design a Project logo. ONE LOGO per member country will be submitted and this will be voted for at the end of April 2016 using an online survey (www.surveymonkey.com).

    APRIL 2016

    My school/town. The kids create a digital story presenting their school and town.  

    • make a PPT presentation or use drawings/pictures and writings to make e movie (using Microsoft MoveMaker, Microsoft Photostory 3). All works will be uploaded in their Twinspace folders and pages/sub-pages and shared with all participants.

    MARCH/APRIL 2016

    Create Easter cards and crafts. Depending whether the kids come from a country that celebrates Catholic or Orthodox Easter, each school will make hand-made Easter cards or crafts that will be send to different participants in the project.

    • have a video conference using Skype/Twinspace to present different Easter traditions.

    MAY 2016

    Animals/pets in my country. Using simple sentences the kids describe different animals/pets (ex. Elephants are big animals. They have got big ears. They can walk, but they can’t jump).

    • the descriptions can be done by: use drawings/photos and writings, creating an online photobook (www.pimpampum.net/bookr/) or create a visual wall (padlet.com). All works will be uploaded in their Twinspace folders and pages/sub-pages and shared with all participants.

    END OF MAY 2016

    Project evaluation. Have an online evaluation in order to think and reflect on the work that’s been done in the project.

    • use an online survey tool (either Google forms or Surveymonkey). 

    (The suggested 2.0 Web tools that are given for some of the activities during the project are just a few possibilities that can be used. Other digital tools are possible to use as well, depending on the students' skills and on-site availablities). 

    Expected results

    The children will improve and develop their EFL skills. This includes confidence in their ability to express themselves, even though in a simplified manner, in a foreign language, to develop their awareness of other countries and nationalities, to be able to work alongside their fellow pupils as well as friends in other countries. A significant improvement in basic ICT skills is also expected.