Språkskap was a design-led project that conducted a series of design research experiments for supporting Swedish language learning outside of the classroom. The project focused on how to turn everyday situations between Swedish speakers and Swedish learners into “sites of language learning” through the development educational conceptualizations and material tools. This was based on a learning-by-doing pedagogic model whereby the process of creating personalized material with others provides beneficial language learning interactions unavailable in expert-created resources (such as text-books, audio programs, etc.).
The final project report, Språkskap: Swedish as a Social Language, is a vision calling into action four main players to contribute to language learning in a variety of contexts: Language learners, everyday citizens, language educators and private & public service providers.
Leaners: From passive student to active learner
Citizens: From language speaker to language coaches
Language Educations: From teaching language to supporting learners in daily practice
Private & Public Service Providers: From core business to providing an arena for language learning.
The project arose out of the observation that those who are interested in learning Swedish while in Sweden, often struggle to tap into the most powerful learning resource available: everyday interactions with Swedish speakers. It explored a shift in focus from learning vocabulary and grammar alone, to a more holistic and practical approach that involves where, when and with whom learners interact, and how to support them in turning their interactions into learning experiences.
Språkskap (2009 – 2010) was a collaboration between Folkuniversitetet, Ergonomidesign, and the Interactive Institute, funded by a VINNOVA grant for Vardags IT (Everyday IT).
Main contact:
+ Brendon Clark, Interactive Institute | brendon.clark@tii.se
+ Project report – not available at the moment