The original wording of the key competence:
‘This competence defines the ability to use different languages appropriately and effectively for communication. It is based on the ability to understand, express and interpret concepts, thoughts, feelings, facts and opinions in both oral and written form (listening, speaking, reading and writing) in an appropriate range of societal and cultural contexts according to one’s wants or needs. Language competences integrate a historical dimension and intercultural competences. It relies on the ability to mediate between different languages and media, as outlined in the Common European Framework of Reference. As appropriate, it can include maintaining and further developing mother tongue competences, as well as the acquisition of a country’s official language(s)’
Suggestions for use in European youth programmes:
Participating in a European project means being confronted with other languages. Participants have to find their way to deal with that. Already in the preparation phase of the actual project the other language(s) can be explored and practiced. Through language classes, through communication by email with the partner(s), through reading information on websites about the other countries, etc. For many participants, speaking another language is an important challenge in a European project. Communication is probably the most important element in such a project, which makes expressing needs, thoughts and feelings in a foreign language a crucial competence. A European project offers an optimal environment to practice this.
Questions that can help participants to reflect:
- What foreign languages do you know already? On which level can you talk, read, write and listen?
- What would you still like to learn? How?
- What aspects (ways of communicating, expressing yourself, new words and phrases, traditions, etc.) of the foreign language did you learn? Which situations in the project helped you in that?
- Did you face any problems to express yourself in the foreign language? In which situations? How did you deal with that? What did you learn from that?
- Which way (talking or writing, or maybe other) did you find the most helpful to express your thoughts and feelings in a foreign language?
- How did you communicate before and after the project with the people you met (email, Skype, telephone)? What did you learn from that?
- What did you learn about other countries, nations or cultures in the project?
- Do you feel more self-confident now when you want to express yourself in a foreign language? In what way?
- What else could you do to improve your skills in this area? Who and what can help you in that?