The partnership with the IIES Valle de Laciana Institute, in Villablino, Spain host school had in common a scholastic path with humanistic, scientific and technical disciplines in the curriculum. This is in order to implement both linguistic, technical and scientific skills.
The comparison with a school reality that operates in a complementary, but certainly different way has stimulated the students' interest and the teachers' search for new teaching strategies. At the same time, the need to communicate in a language different from their mother tongue has led students to give greater importance to the study of English language which is often difficult.
The mobility lasted a week and before the mobility, some working methods were agreed with the partner school. After an initial visit to the school, the pupils followed the lessons according to a pre-established plan. Workshop-based lessons were favored in both English and STEM-related disciplines. Particular attention was paid to mechanics and information technology.
The chosen and shared methodology was that of group work, fundamental for the development of the key skills previously indicated for the implementation of linguistic skills stimulated by the need to communicate in multicultural contexts.
The working group in a new context has brought out qualities in the students such as the spirit of initiative, the search for solutions, leadership, learning to learn... all skills that emerge in real situations.
The awareness of the cultural heritage of which we are bearers was implemented by guided visits to the main sites of cultural interest in the area and working environments in the mechanical and IT sectors.
With this project action we have aimed at:
- Improving language skills through methodological innovation and the management of communicative situations in formal and informal contexts. The methodological comparison has allowed a reflection on the effectiveness of teaching methods while reality tasks have provided new stimuli to the students who are now able to understand how English is the vehicular language of the global society of which we are part.
- Promoting greater interest in STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) through laboratory practices in cultural contexts.
- Developing key competences also meant as soft skills such as interpersonal skills, knowing how learn to learn, problem solving, spirit of initiative, cultural awareness and expression, sense of belonging to a global community.
The project has also aimed at offering teachers the opportunity for methodological metacognition and students the opportunity to:
- Use the English language in formal and informal communication situations.
- Carry out laboratory activities of the disciplines related to STEM, reflecting in working groups, also led by experts, on the importance of STEM for the economic progress of society.
- Know the new frontiers of mechatronics.
- Work in groups or individually to complete reality tasks not only meant as multilingual, mathematical, scientific, technological or digital competence, they should also concern and involve those soft skills such as personal, social competence, the ability to learn, cultural awareness and expression.
The expected outcomes have been an improvement in the results in English and in STEM subjects of the students involved in the project. The attendance at English language courses, to obtain a linguistic certification, and at competitions or Olympics related to STEM has also been an indicator of greater interest.