Empowering Adult Language Learning: Teacher Studio Joins Erasmus+ Project

We are thrilled to announce that our team at Teacher Studio has been invited to participate in an exciting new Erasmus+ project, EMPOWER. This opportunity highlights our expertise in supporting learners with specific learning differences (SLDs), particularly dyslexia and ADHD. Together with esteemed partners from Finland, Austria, Italy, and Greece, we will develop innovative learning materials tailored for adult language teachers operating in online environments.

The EMPOWER project builds on the success of the Fit for Digital Linguistic Education Erasmus+ project (2020-2023). With a strong foundation, this new initiative aims to further enhance the digital competencies of language teachers in adult education. By leveraging new technologies, the project seeks to make language learning more accessible and inclusive, especially for students with special needs.

Why This Matters: Online Learning and SLDs

Online language learning is rapidly growing, offering flexibility and access to diverse resources. However, this digital shift can be both an opportunity and a challenge for learners with dyslexia and ADHD. The structured, text-heavy nature of online courses can create barriers for these individuals, but with the right tools and teaching strategies, these challenges can be transformed into opportunities for success.

Alarmingly, about 70% of people with dyslexia and ADHD remain undiagnosed, a statistic even more pronounced among adults. This underdiagnosis means many learners are navigating educational spaces without the support they need. Our participation in the EMPOWER project aims to bridge this gap, ensuring that adult language teachers are equipped with the knowledge and resources to identify and support these learners effectively.

Project Goals and Our Role

The EMPOWER project has four primary goals:

1. Expanding Digital Assessment and Feedback Tools: We aim to introduce and integrate advanced digital tools that enhance assessment and feedback processes, making them more adaptive to individual learning needs.
2. Increasing Inclusion and Accessibility: A core focus will be on differentiation and supporting learners with special needs, ensuring that digital language education is inclusive for all.
3. Promoting Digital Resilience and Media Literacy: Both teachers and learners will benefit from resources designed to build their digital resilience and media literacy, crucial skills in today’s online learning environments.
4. Encouraging the Use of New Technologies: We will explore the application of cutting-edge technologies, including AI, to revolutionize language education.

Our team at Teacher Studio will contribute our specialized knowledge in dyslexia and ADHD, ensuring that the materials we develop are not only pedagogically sound but also sensitive to the unique challenges faced by learners with SLDs.

What’s Next?

The project will begin by consulting with end-user groups—teachers and learners—to gather insights into their current experiences and training needs. This feedback will guide the creation of four main outputs:

• A comprehensive policy report on the current state of language teaching in Europe.
• An online train-the-trainer course focused on digital tools for feedback and assessment.
• An engaging online game designed to build digital resilience.
• A video-based MOOC showcasing practical applications of digital tools to promote inclusion.

Quick-reference summaries and a teacher guide for using the online game will also be produced, ensuring that educators can easily integrate these resources into their teaching.

Being part of the EMPOWER project is a fantastic opportunity for Teacher Studio to make a significant impact on adult language education. By focusing on the needs of learners with dyslexia and ADHD, we are not only contributing to more inclusive teaching practices but also helping to unlock the potential of countless adults who may otherwise struggle in traditional learning environments. Stay tuned for more updates as we embark on this exciting journey!

More information

For more information, we suggest to visit the project’s website: https://www.empower4digiline.eu/

THIS PROJECT IS FUNDED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION. VIEWS AND OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE HOWEVER THOSE OF THE AUTHOR(S) ONLY AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THOSE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION OR THE EUROPEAN EDUCATION AND CULTURE EXECUTIVE AGENCY (EACEA). NEITHER THE EUROPEAN UNION NOR EACEA CAN BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THEM. AGREEMENT NUMBER: 2023-1-FI01-KA220-ADU-000153949