ECALL PROJECT
Over the past 20 years, reforms in the primary education have been implemented in the Republic of North Macedonia, which mainly focused on formal education, while neglecting the importance of extracurricular activities in schools for the overall development of the child. Thus, there was a discrepancy between regular (reformed) teaching and the realization of extracurricular activities.
Having in mind in various domestic and international reports (OECD, PISA) it has been ascertained that the achievements of pupils are very low and are in decline (especially in the field of Literacy), it is necessary to find ways and strategies for improving the situation in the schools, and in terms of teaching, but also in finding other more creative methods of learning and teaching, motivating pupils to develop the basic competences.
That is why changes are necessary, but not only as the establishment of specific standards of knowledge for each teaching subject (which refers to the study of mother tongue and / or foreign languages), but above all as the development of a flexible and modern system which will encompass the acquisition of knowledge, skills and development of attitudes in each pupil, as well as developing a system based on the competences necessary for the successful involvement of every individual in all processes of contemporary society.
The main objectives of the project is to connect and build a complementary and coherent system of primary education based on competences that are developed both through regular classes and extracurricular activities through preparation of documents, recommendations, training and guides for teachers and the exchange of innovative and creative ideas.
This project will attempt to connect the necessary competences of Literacy and learning in other languages, interlinking, upgrading and complementing it through learning and learning and "life at school". This will mean developing competencies through extracurricular activities, various forms of association of students, their initiatives and organizations.
Through reading texts with different content and structure in school libraries, "clubs", "school theaters" and other forms proposed by students, literacy and reading culture will be developed and writing of need, curiosity and satisfaction will be encouraged, and through the study of other languages will develop interest and curiosity for different languages, respect for cultural diversity and intercultural communication.
The project corresponds to the activities envisaged in the Comprehensive Education Strategy 2018-2025 in the area of developing national standards based on key competences for lifelong learning and will contribute through the experience gained in developing curricula, and in particular in the documents relating to extracurricular activities.
The project will include 70 teachers from pilot schools who will introduce the new concept and methods for the operation of extracuricula activities, more than 300 pupils will actively participate in the extracurricular activities, the preparation of the documents will include experts from the participating countries (university professors, teachers), as well as representatives of local and national institutions dealing with education, as well as representatives from the non-governmental sector.
As a results the project will be expected:
• Developed concept and methodology for acquiring competences in Literacy and the study of other languages through extracurricular activities
• Developed appropriate guidelines for the implementation of extracurricular activities
• Trained teachers to work with pupils in extracurricular activities
• Developed Innovative methods (activities, procedures, guides) for working pupils' clubs in pilot schools to develop appropriate competencies in Literacy and learning other languages
• Prepared draft curricula to state institutions to change access and work in schools for extracurricular activities.
The main influence of this project is to contribute to the development of basic competences - Literacy and learning in foreign languages, through innovative and creative approaches, through active involvement of pupils throughout the process through extracurricular activities.
That is exactly what the main impact is expected from this project: teachers change their working methods, adapt to the needs of contemporary students and the new needs of the society "which is in constant motion", to realize that knowledge itself is not enough, if it does not contain practical application - skills, and if students do not build their own attitudes and beliefs about what is being taught and living in the school.
This will also be possible through the development of the understanding, as well as through practice in the classroom.
