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The REAL 2 project
The ultimate aim of the REAL2 project was to create a sustainable and vibrant umbrella organisation, with legal status, under which many kinds of associations – large, small, monolingual, multilingual, representing not only the “big” languages of Europe, but also the rich variety of languages to be found within our borders – can meet and find ways to motivate learners, inspire teachers, improve professional development opportunities and make a real contribution to a more plurilingual Europe.
To take this work forward, the REAL2 project:
- created this website for all language teachers associations where they can find useful and up-to-date information, not only on the project, but also on EU policy matters, what’s happening in the world of languages across Europe and find out more about their counterparts in Europe;
- ran seminars and other events for language teachers and associations;
- created a new umbrella organisation with legal status which language teacher associations will very soon be invited to join;
- sent out regular newsletters to subscribers.
REAL2, co-funded by the European Commission (Lifelong Learning Programme), was led by a core group of eight associations. In the driving seat, CIEP, French “établissement public” for international matters in the field of education managed the project, and as a co-pilot the UK Association for Language Learning (ALL), took an overview from an association perspective.
REAL 1 – feasibility study
Our first initiative, REAL1, began with a feasibility study in which we collected data from language teachers associations across the EU in one of the first ever attempts to map the sector. We also asked those who took part to tell us if they supported the idea of a network. 138 associations representing over 150,000 language teachers confirmed their interest in the REAL network.
At the end of the first phase we invited 52 associations to a final meeting in Sèvres (France), where we reported on progress and took soundings about how much support there was across the EU for an umbrella group of the kind REAL proposes. That support was unanimous – all associations represented were keen to be involved in REAL2, some in an active “second circle” of participants, others in an outer circle where they will receive regular updates on the project’s progress and the chance to send in their views, take part in activities and network with similar organisations.
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REAL 2 Project Partners
CIEP
The Centre International d'Études Pédagogiques (CIEP) is a national, public organisation well known in France and abroad for its expertise in training, evaluation and languages and as a think tank in the sphere of international cooperation in educational matters. Its activities are carried out by a network of experts and national and international partners supported by the know-how of a team of more than 200. CIEP is coordinator of several projects within the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Commission, such as: Semlang, SAEL and Surveylang. It is also the point of contact for the European Centre for Modern Languages (ECLM) in France . CIEP is the coordinating partner for REAL2 and, as such, directs all project activity. As the only non-association in the partnership, CIEP provides neutral space for the development of the REAL network.
www.ciep.fr
ALL
The Association for Language Learning (ALL) brings together teachers of all languages and from all educational sectors in the UK. The Association has 6000 members and a permanent staff. ALL organises training and regional and national meetings for its members. It works closely with numerous partners in the UK and abroad and makes representation on behalf of its members at national level. The Association is regularly consulted by public bodies and has occasion to negotiate with them on behalf of members. Both as coordinator and partner, ALL is part of several national and international projects. It publishes a magazine three times a year and 6 journals, one of which, the Language Learning Journal, has international standing. ALL is a member of the Fédération Internationale des Professeurs de Langues Vivantes (FIPLV). ALL is co-coordinator of REAL2 and, alongside CIEP's contribution, brings expertise in the work of associations. ALL is also responsible for the production of dissemination materials for REAL2.
www.all-languages.org.uk
APLV
Since 1902 the Association des professeurs de langues vivantes (APLV) has gathered together teachers of all languages from all educational sectors. An editorial team has responsibility for publishing a journal, “Les Langues Modernes” for the association. APLV publishes articles concerning the teaching of languages in general, the didactics of languages and cultures, linguistics, linguistic policy, etc. It circulates up to date developments in didactics and linguistic policy, it gives information about conferences and latest publications, it suggests activities for languages classes from primary to university level and it advises on the impact of technology on language teaching and learning (TICE). In REAL2, APLV will bring its experience to bear on the multilingual structure of the project and will take responsibility for questions about languages and technology.
www.aplv-languesmodernes.org
FEAPF
The Fédération espagnole d'associations de professeurs de français (FEAPF) brings together the associations of teachers of French throughout Spain at every educational level. It coordinates the associations nationally and ensures their representation on the international stage. Its work is structured along three lines: educational politics, training and the dissemination of the language and culture of French speaking countries. FEAPF aims to unite and focus the efforts of associations on the promotion and dissemination of the language and cultures of French speaking countries in Spain ; to reinforce the importance of teaching French with the authorities and to coordinate initiatives, actions and activities between member associations. The Association engages in promoting and increasing opportunities for contacts and exchanges between associations in Spain, in Europe and elsewhere. FEAPF is charged with the coordination of internal evaluation in REAL 2.
www.feapf.es
E&M
The Association Verband English und Mehrsprachigkeit - E&M is for teachers of languages (in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd phases) and is dedicated to the promotion of learning languages and of multilingualism. E & M plays an integral part in linguistic policy and language education in Germany by organising seminars notably in the field of continuing professional development. E & M is a member of the German multilingual federation Gesamtveband Moderne Fremdsprachen (GMF) and a partner in the REAL feasibility study. E & M will concentrate on questions of multilingualism in REAL2.
englisch-und-mehr.de
LEND
Lingua e nuova didattica – LEND is an association of languages teachers founded in 1971. It has carried out numerous studies and training activities in the field of languages education and, in doing so, has contributed to the development of the Italian education system. Its proactive approach is best illustrated by its journal LEND, by the Libri della Collana LEND, through its national conferences and the Portonovo conference. The Association operates throughout Italy by means of a network of local groups, each with its own structure. LEND has also played a part in making accessible important EU documents on school and language policy and has participated in European projects as either partner or coordinator. Within REAL2 LEND is responsible for the coordination of activities for the member associations of the REAL network. These activities are focused in particular around seminars.
www.lend.it
LKPA
Lietuvos Kalbų Pedagogų Asociacija (LKPA), the association for teachers of languages in Lithuania, was founded in December 2006 with the aim of creating links between existing language associations, universities, schools and language centres. Today, the association has more than 100 members, all of whom are teachers of the most frequently taught languages in Lithuania, English, German, French and Italian. The Association's purpose is to represent the needs of languages teachers, of teaching institutions and of associations. LKPA makes forceful proposals and recommendations to government and to educational organisations about languages programmes and pedagogical resources. The Association encourages creativity and innovation in the field of language teaching. As a partner in REAL2, LKPA is responsible for the promotion of project initiatives and events.
www.lkpa.uki.vu.lt
MATE
The Moldavian Association of Teachers of English (MATE) is affiliated to a national federation of associations of English teachers the members of which are volunteers working on the development of pedagogical competences, the dissemination of good practice, improved representation for languages teachers within national politics and support for cultural diversity and multilingualism. Within REAL2, MATE is working with associations and their members, sponsors and decision-makers to assure the sustainability of the REAL network.
www.rate.org.ro
ELC
The Polish Association Europa Języków i Kultur aims to raise awareness about Europe from a multilingual and multicultural perspective and promote lifelong language learning in an innovative and creative way. The association carries out work to bring together teachers of different language and disciplines at all levels of education in Poland. It helps them to meet, exchange and run educational and interdisciplinary projects with partners who have different linguistic and cultural backgrounds, thus building bridges between the different regions and countries of Europe. The challenge of this association is to develop mutual understanding and intercultural dialogue in European society as well as in schools, non-formal learning and public life. Within the project, the association ELC is responible for seminars aimed at teachers.
