Future of Learning languages Future of Learning languages by Rita Soldetti_MITE01 Where are we today?  There is more than just one way to learn a language.  There are many different types of learners and every student has different learning needs. Between the above points there is a link.

What link?  We need to combine effective pedagogy and current language acquisition approaches with cutting-edge technology, to create a unique and innovative language curriculum.  "Virtual Immersion" approach to online learning integrates language courses with a variety of interactive and engaging language learning experiences.  Learners are immersed in the sights, sounds and happenings of a language and its culture. They are able to gain knowledge that's useful, practical, and enriching.

Looking at Adult Education  We are in the era of life long learning and in the age of second chance education. - Our knowledge and learning becomes out of date and redundant in a few years. So lifelong learning is now essential! Kind of “learning from the cradle to the grave”. - The concept of second chance is about catching up. More schooling or something different too? Are we talking about second chance or last chance? If we fail in this system where do we go? If we say lifelong schooling instead of lifelong learning we clearly see another danger. We have realised that the European Union, in supporting this idea, is emphasising the link between work and learning. Lifelong learning is largely driven by economic agendas. (Company policies and trainings)

Fostering learning Autonomy or learning communities?  Our intention is to focus on the individual as learner using innate individual strengths and intelligences to determine individual preferences and achieve individual potential.  Great!  What about a vision of adult and children education that involves fostering learning communities in which people can reflect critically, discuss collaboratively and act collectively? E-learning, on-line learning, more interactive learning, etc….. …..what are the key benefits?

Key benefits of cyber-learning a foreign language: 1. Use this system anytime or anywhere you can access the Internet 2. Learn at your own pace; create your own schedule 3. Read contemporary, real-world content 4. Experience world-class courses complete with grammar, vocabulary, reading, pronunciation, exercises, and cutting-edge cultural content 5. Gain authentic insight into different cultures that's useful and practical 6. Save 50% to 80% off traditional language courses The question is:

Does it really work? What do you Think about it?

My personal view I am an ICT fanatic and I take advantage of it every single day at work and at home, but as a language learner and facilitator I feel the ICT cannot replace the human presence, the human touch!

Connecting to human touch…  A web-based learning course is very useful but needs the human touch.  How is it possible to communicate the passion, the colour, the real musicality of a language? Introduction of video conferencing virtual class? Pretty cool.  But, will we be able to smell or to taste the sound of the language we are learning?  The learner is safe behind (in front?) the PC screen  Will he/she really interact or hide?  In a virtual learning process the learner will be able to disconnect at any time. Leaving the class, without caring about anything else, but itself. The environment is at his/her feet.

Click, connect, browse and learn another language.  Is it really that easy?  We can easily click a button to start our learning process in order to speak the first word!  But can we click with the language or the people that speak the language we are learning?  Connecting and browsing the Internet means disconnecting from our real world?  The world of ICT is amazingly huge and fascinating to the human eye and mind, but it became our saviour in this fast changing life. If the light goes off we have to stop running. We are left in the darkness of silence where communication becomes essential.

The way we speak is our personal fingerprint ofICT IC T Individual Communicative Touch.