ETandem

Tandem Language Learning

Definitions

• as a language teaching-learning method/approach

"TANDEM is a bicycle designed for two riders both involved in getting forward. We have taken this word into our method of learning by exchanging languages with our motto: "In order to understand each other better I help you to learn and you help me to learn." TANDEM is therefore the bicycle among various language learning approaches - it is cheap, individual and ecological. It is a communicative as well as an intercultural approach as it gives the opportunity to both learners to gain more insight into each other's culture by direct communication."-Tandem Fondiazioa

• as a learning practice/activity
• as a learning environment
• as a partnership

History and Evolution

• The Origin of Tandem Language Learning
• From face-to-face Tandem to eTandem
• eTandem as a form/modal of Telecollaboration

European projects concerning tandem language learning

EU SOCRATES I(1995-1999)[1]

The project aimed to contribute to the development of quality education and training and of an open European area for education. It comprised three areas of Community action, namely higher education, school education and adult education as well as horizontal activities in the areas of language learning, open and distance education and learning, and exchanges of information and experience. Some important Tandem related projects are as follows:

• International E-Mail Tandem Network (LINGUA,ERASMUS)1995-1996 [2] later on International Tandem Network [3]The tandem server provides information about the EU supported projects.[4]
• Telematics for Autonomous and Intercultural Tandem Learning ODL (Open and Distance Learning)(1996-1999)[5]
• Language Learning Partnerships for Engineers (ILC) (1996-1999)[6]
• Tandem Language Learning Partnerships for Schools LINGUA-D (1998-1999)[7]

EU SOCRATES II(2000-2006)[8]

The aim of Socrates Phase II is to promote a Europe of knowledge and encourage lifelong education through learning foreign languages, encouraging mobility, promoting cooperation at European level, opening up to methods of access to education and increasing the use of new technologies in the field of education. The more specific aims of SOCRATES II are as follows:

   to strengthen the European dimension in education at all levels;
   to improve knowledge of foreign languages;
   to promote cooperation and mobility in the field of education;
   to encourage the use of new technologies in education;
   to promote equal opportunities in all sectors of education.

The SOCRATES programme is implemented through eight measures, five of which are targeted, while the other three are transverse measures aimed at improving coordination within SOCRATES:

• Comenius: school education: nursery, primary and secondary schools (to increase the quality of education, strengthen the European dimension and promote language learning)
• Erasmus: higher, university and post-university education (to encourage mobility and language learning)
• Grundtvig: adult education and other education pathways (to supplement Comenius and Erasmus by facilitating the integration of adults excluded from the school system)
• Lingua: language learning (to promote the targeted learning and teaching of languages)
• Minerva: information and communication technologies in education (to encourage the use of information and communication technologies (ICT), multimedia and open and distance learning (ODL).)
• Observation and innovation in education systems (to observe the educational contexts of other Member States in order to make each national education system innovative)
• Joint measures (to increase synergy in education policies (Socrates), vocational training (Leonardo da Vinci) and youth (Youth)).
• Accompanying measures (to increase the flexibility of Socrates)

Tandem related projects:

• eTandem Europa,European Year of Languages 2001 [9]

EU lifelong learning (2007-2013)[10]the website is under construction

Previously referred to as the "Integrated action programme in the field of lifelong learning" or the "Integrated programme", it is the European Union programme for education and training.The Programme brings together the various actions financed under the Socrates programme and the Leonardo da Vinci programme.

eTandem integrated in FL curriculum

Projects

• Tandem - Université de Lausanne [11]

Experiences