Abstract:

Four institutions from three different countries (Latvia, Sweden and Finland) are taking part in the Nordplus project SVEBINAR 2017 - 2020. Dalarna University (Sweden), Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (Finland), Oulu University of Applied Sciences (Finland) and Latvian Academy of Culture (Latvia).

The main goal of the project is to improve students' Swedish oral skills and to prepare a teaching material which can be used both for online teaching and in the traditional classroom. Furthermore, the goal is to advance online based education and alternative ways of teaching which require more responsibility from the student and provides more freedom in choosing a venue where to and the time when to study. In addition, the project promotes international cooperation.

The project has been constructed using the flipped learning method as its base and functions according to several steps. Firstly, there is prerecorded mini-lecture (5-10 minutes long) with predetermined topic which is supplemented by a manuscript and a glossary. Secondly, preparation in the classroom is done in each institutions before the online seminar takes place where the students from all the partner institutions would meet. Thirdly, an online seminar is organised and monitored by teachers from all partner universities each taking their turn.

There are ten online seminars scheduled in total and additional ten language cafes where students have an opportunity to discuss a topic of their own choosing. The topics cover wide variety of subjects, i.e. educational systems, environment, transport, technologies, culture etc. The students are encouraged to share the information about their respective countries while discussing the topics.

The results of the project are and will continue to be spread in the respective partner institutions, regional and international teachers conferences and online.

The teaching material that has been created as the result of this project will be made available after the project has concluded in 2020. There will be a databank published on Nordplus homepage as well.

Keywords:

Swedish, language teaching, flipped learning, online education, international cooperation.