Project goals and development principles
The project is guided by three principles founded on current research-based knowledge:
- Continuous learning supported by sustainable assessment
- Language learning as social activity
- Learner as an active agent, teacher as a supporter of learning
The central premise of Kielibuusti is that language is learned not only in language courses and as a result of individual effort but everywhere in our environment, in interaction with other people. The primary setting for learning languages is not language courses but the everyday and institutional situations in which people participate. The key duty of language teaching is to guide the learner to actively observe their language environment, encourage them to use Finnish or Swedish, and provide them with tools for effective self and peer assessment to enable them to continuously develop their skills.
We look for ways to support learners and their immediate communities in enhancing language learning. We produce learning paths, pedagogical models, digital solutions, and support materials based on our pilots and research. The results of the project will help
- Learners to strengthen their agency and assume responsibility for their learning
- Teachers to serve in the role of supervisor and supporter
- Members of learners’ immediate communities to support them in developing their language skills
The development will result in the following for nationwide use:
- Language learning paths and models
- Pedagogical models in support of teaching and supervision
- Digital tools for learning and teaching
- Tools for enhancing language awareness in work communities
- An online portal to facilitate access to relevant information and materials
- The groundwork for a collaboration network
The focus of implementation will be on research-based development of digital solutions for language learning and teaching. Materials produced by Kielibuusti and our networks will be collected in an open access online portal.