susan norris & andrea steiner 46th Meeting of Directors General

1. Eurospeak Online The benefits of a tailor-made English e-learning programme susan norris & andrea steiner 46th Meeting of Directors General Responsible for Public Administration Vienna, 30 May 2006

2. Eurospeak Online A tailor-made e-learning programme to develop English language skillsfor effective communication in the EU to go online in February 2006.

3. norris&steiner Eurospeak online Benefits 1. Why e-learning? 2. Effective language learning 3. Blended learning

4. norris&steiner Eurospeak online 1. Why e-learning? • Efficient • Sustainable • State of the art

5. norris&steiner Eurospeak online 1. Why e-learning? Efficient • Affords maximum flexibility for a modern public administration: • for large and heterogeneous target groups • “wherever – whenever – whatever”

6. 1. Why e-learning? Sustainable • Long life & multiple uses • Easily adapted, extended and updated

7. 1. Why e-learning? State of the art • Optimum use of new technology • Up-to-date learning methodology

8. 2. Effective language learning… … face-to-face and online: • integrated • needs-based • learner-centred

9. 2. Effective language learning Integrated: • language skills • vocabulary • grammar • comprehension skills • communication skills • specialised content

10. 2. Effective language learning Sample integrated task • Language • vocabulary: verb-noun collocations • grammar: verb forms • Specific content • Community law

13. 2. Effective language learning Needs-based: • tailored to the specific needs of public administration • learners’ needs • employers’ needs • learners’ wants

14. 2. Effective language learning Learner-centred: • maximum practice • authentic communication • learner independence

15. 3. Blended learning face-to-face seminars + Eurospeak online = more than the sum of their parts

16. 3. Blended learning Face-to-face seminars • Eurospeak • English for public administration • Making presentations • Meetings and negotiations • Drafting documents

17. 3. Blended learning As long as international relations depend on face-to-face interaction, civil servants will need face-to-face communication skills training for authentic communication: • total immersion • realistic scenarios • complex social interaction • specific feedback

18. 3. Blended learning Eurospeak online: thematic framework • International Organisations • Development and structure of the EU • EU Institutions • Decision-making in the EU • Fundamentals of Community law • EU policy areas • Austria in the EU • National Law • Austria’s federal structure • The Austrian Civil Service

19. 3. Blended learning Eurospeak online: integrated language & communication topics • Reading: international agreements, reports, … • Listening: presentations, phone calls, … • Vocabulary: legal terminology, verb-noun collocations, … • Grammar: tenses, gerund, … • Pronunciation: abbreviations & acronyms, word stress, … • Communication: chairing a meeting, writing e-mails, drafting positions, …

20. 3. Blended learning Tailor-made e-learning provides optimal support for successful face-to-face learning by promoting learnerautonomy: • total immersion • realistic scenarios • complex social interaction • specific feedback

21. 3. Blended learning Effective language learning should be • integrated • needs-based • learner-centred Online & face-to-face language learning are mutually reinforced by their respective strengths: • authentic communication • autonomous learning

22. 3. Blended learning … … is more than the sum of its parts.

23. Thank you norris&steiner professional communication in english e-learning authoring and content design susan.norris@aon.atandrea_steiner@aon.at +43 1 6070026 +43 1 7127920 http://www.eurospeak.at (as of autumn 2006) With the kind support of…

24. Badegruber & Partner GmbH E-Learning – Training – Consulting www.CLICKANDLEARN.at Contact: Erich Herber erich.herber@clickandlearn.at