LU konference
The project was funded by the European Commission in cooperation with 11 European universities – the University of Castilla-La Mancha (Spain), the University of Latvia, Aalborg University (Denmark), Vilnius University (Lithuania), the University of Tartu (Estonia), Charles University in Prague (Czech Republic), Nitra University (Slovakia), the University of Malta (Malta), the University of Silesia (Poland), the University of Pecs (Hungary) and Ankara University (Turkey). The project focuses on the acquisition of Spanish, Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian, Czech, Slovak, Maltese, Polish, Hungarian and Turkish as second languages without preliminary knowledge by using the possibilities of the electronic environment, mobile technologies (iPod, Mp3, mobile phones) and podcast. The project EUROPODIANS: LANGUAGE COURSES FOR MOBILE TECHNOLOGIES is particularly important to the Latvian language (as well as Lithuanian, Estonian, Czech, Slovak and other languages) since it has given the opportunity to provide language acquisition with the help of mobile technologies for the first time, using the electronic environment as well. Thus Latvian has become “mobile” along with other languages of the project since it is possible to learn it anywhere one can use a computer, mobile phone or record-player.
For more information on EUROPODIANS: LANGUAGE COURSES FOR MOBILE TECHNOLOGIES as well as the prepared learning materials see the project’s home page www.europodians.com. The project's idea is based on the opinion that the Internet and mobile technologies are excellent assistants in language acquisition. However, the project has been aiming at creating similar materials in 11 languages so, while mastering the phrases of one language, a student could see similar situations in the minimum of another language. As a result, with the help of the communicative method students can learn the most important vocabulary and the basic phrases in several languages to, for instance, get acquainted, ask for directions or speak about their interests.
Moreover, the EUROPODIANS language courses not only provide ready-made materials for self-education, but also give an opportunity to creatively combine and perfect the already existing choice of samples and exercises, create new classes and cooperate with other course participants in the acquisition of one or several languages. The EUROPODIANS language courses include a dictionary of the vocabulary minimum from 11 languages that correspond to the vocabulary used in exercises and dialogues; furthermore, it can be arranged and improved according to the interests of each language learner.
The project’s conception and language acquisition materials (in audio, video and text formats) were developed at the University of Castilla-La Mancha in Spain; however, further adaptation and creative development in compliance with the culture, traditions and language system of the particular country already took place in the teams from other universities. The project’s EUROPODIANS: LANGUAGE COURSES FOR MOBILE TECHNOLOGIES coordination and agenda were talked over not only at regular online discussions of the participants, but also at the project’s workshops in Slovakia, Hungary, Turkey, Lithuania and Spain.
The team of the University of Latvia consisted of lecturers Ilze Lokmane, Līga Vogina and Andra Kalnača (head of the UL team) from the Chair of Latvian and General Linguistics. Other UL colleagues were invited to prepare various Latvian audio and text materials, thus contributing to the project’s implementation – Linda Apse (UL Department of English Studies), Juris Grigorjevs (UL Chair of Latvian and General Linguistics), Ojārs Lāms (UL Chair of Latvian Literature History and Theory) and Gints Romanovskis (student of the UL Baltic Philology Bachelor study programme). Special gratitude goes to the UL Phonetics Laboratory (head – Juris Grigorjevs) for the possibility of producing Latvian audio records of excellent and modern quality.
Translated by students of the professional study programme Translator of the University of Latvia.
Translated by students of the professional study programme Translator of the University of Latvia.