School for everyone, from the first day in the new country
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | KOMPLEMENTSKOLAN SVERIGE AB |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 10 000 000 |
| Project duration | May 2015 - August 2017 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | Challenge-driven innovation - Phase 2 Collaboration |
Purpose and goal
The project ´School for everyone´ is a research and innovation project that based on the insight that we are all our smartest when allowed to think in our first language. With manual tools available this is difficult to apply in schools where students speak a variety of languages, but thanks to an innovative and effective digital tool with accompanying genuinely multilingual learning material, the project has brought these methods to the mainstream.
Expected results and effects
Research clearly support that this is the most effective way to teach: to retain the first language and at the same time build the second language to a significantly higher level than basic interpersonal communication. This, however, is easily said but difficult to manage in practice, as it requires teachers on site who speak the student´s first language, and that the school has the resources support and develop language in all subjects. The project has shown that with the right tools available these methods becomes available also within the realms of ordinary practice.
Planned approach and implementation
The project is a coordinated effort between a university, a publishing house, a range of municipalities (3 at the start, 32 today) and an IT integrator. Thanks to dynamic programme management based on agile methods, the project has been able to stay focused on the next task at hand with constant view of the end goal, without spilling unnecessary time on tasks other than those driving the project forward. With the support of Vinnova the project has been able to manage several concurrent partners and a deep and varied engagement from the end users.