BACKGROUND

Literacy problems are still a real challenge in the EU:

a large number of children have problems learning their native languages
early language problems cause later language problems (e.g. with literacy)
language proficiency has an impact on educational and life-long success in socialization

PROJECT GOALS

increasing educational chances of young children with language impairments/problems by receiving an appropriate language support and/or therapy
intervening at the earliest stages of literacy development (from the age 4 to 8)
helping children to fully benefit from the education which will allow them to develop their careers later on

MAIN OUTPUT AND RESULTS

interactive and multi-functional intervention resources for language support and/or therapy
in 4 languages: Lithuanian, Estonian, German and Slovenian

MODE

on-line resources
printed materials (leaflets, cards)

MAIN FEATURES OF THE PRODUCTS

attractive and interactive: games, puzzles, picture stories, etc.
invented animated creatures that will encourage children with language impairements/problems to overcome their communication barriers
used for an intervention programme targeting comprehension and production in grammar, syntax, vocabulary, phonology, pragmatics and narration
suitable for individual and group work
short tests for self-assessment
theoretically based
innovative character

contribution to limited resources in most of the project languages
addressing socioeconomic problems by improving language skills
integration of newest research findings
integrative methodological approach

IMPACT

the project can improve children’s language competence and facilitate the way to literacy
the materials help children with language impairments/problems not only to develop language skills, but to have an access to language learning strategies; they also enhance children’s learning motivation
the project contributes to teacher training by producing methodological guidelines and by providing the possibility to share the best practices
the project increases public awareness of language impairments/problems