Language Learning
apps & MOOCs
for refugees
25 October 2017 - 15:00 CET

Watch the recording of this webinar

An important part of social inclusion is having the foreign language skills necessary for day to day life. ICT, including mobile apps and open online courses, forms an important part of the way in which languages are learnt in our modern society. The improvement in communication networks and online tools, accessible from a range of mobile devices and desktop computers, facilitates activities developed to improve the four basic language competences (written and oral comprehension and production). Furthermore, the wide availability of free language learning apps can help to supplement the online learning experience, especially when network access is limited.

The question being considered in this webinar is whether such resources represent an effective learning approach for refugees, given their changing geographical, sociocultural and technological circumstances.

Speakers

Agnes Kukulska Hulme

Agnes Kukulska Hulme

Professor of Learning Technology and Communication at the Open University UK

Agnes has led numerous projects investigating innovative and emergent practices with learning technologies, in tertiary education and informal learning. She has been part of the European MOTILL project on mobile technologies in lifelong learning, the MASELTOV project on smart and personalized technologies for social inclusion of immigrants and the British Council project on Mobile Pedagogy for English Language Teaching. She has a long standing research interest in language learning supported by mobile technologies.

There is an abundance of mobile apps and online resources which can be used on smartphones for informal language learning on a daily basis. Such an approach can satisfy individuals’ personal learning goals and needs. Newly arrived migrants and refugees can take advantage of these learning opportunities but not many are used to being in charge of their own learning. Informal, self-directed learning may complement, or conflict with, formal language classes. How can we support migrants in their transition to a new country and a new way of learning?

Timothy Read

Timothy Read

Senior Lecturer in the Department of Computer Languages and Systems at UNED, Spain

He has held a range of positions in the university government at UNED and is currently Pro-Vice Chancellor of Methodology and Technology. He is an EDEN Fellow and also the cofounder of the ATLAS research group and and is currently working in European and nationally funded projects in the area of mobile assisted language learning (MALL) and massive open online courses for languages (LMOOCs).

Since 2012 there have been LMOOCs at UNED which have given us the opportunity to explore how these courses function and what their strengths and weaknesses are. As well as the course content and resources, the social interaction possible can also reinforce learning, since language can be both the object of study and the vehicle used to communicate. However, refugees report that camp life can be chaotic and trying to use online courses is far from perfect. Can these courses help them improve their linguistic competences?

Alastair Creelman

Alastair Creelman

E-learning specialist at Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden

He is involved in several national and international projects and organisations in the field of e-learning, including the MOONLITE project, and will be moderating the webinar