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Akelius language learning opportunities

Provision of language learning opportunities and strengthening digital competencies of educators through the akelius langauge course

Akelius language learning opportunities

Context:

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the number of refugees and migrants arriving in the country has increased from just a few dozen arrivals annually prior to 2017 to over 140,000 arrivals between 2018 and 2023. This increase has put incredible strain on the country’s education systems. 

The aim of the project and the partnership between UNICEF and Akelius in Bosnia and Herzegovina is to facilitate the acquisition of English and German language skills for refugee/migrant children accommodated in the temporary reception centres in BiH, as well as to provide children in local public schools with language learning opportunities through a blended learning approach.  

UNICEF also aims to tackle some of the main challenges identified during the implementation such as: the need to strengthen digital competencies of teachers and improve technical skills related to the use of ed-tech and the Akelius course itself, lack of methodological guidance on blended learning approaches, as well as the need to improve the digital environment in schools. This will be done by strengthening the digital environment in selected locations, management capacities and blended teaching and learning practices. 

The project plans to reach 1,000 children per year from June 2022 to December 2025 in two reception centres and 9 model public schools through structured language classes using blended learning methodologies. Furthermore, the project was also designed to strengthen the digital and pedagogical competencies of 350 teachers by December 2025 and capacitate them to use language learning technology within the classroom paving the way for the Akelius Digital Language course to become a digital solution of choice for foreign language learning by education authorities and used in all primary schools in Una-Sana Canton and Canton Sarajevo. This project builds upon previously implemented non-formal and formal education activities as part of the humanitarian response.  

Objectives of the partnership:

  1. Support existing non-formal language learning opportunities for refugee/migrant children and accelerate English and German language learning, incorporating it into the existing non-formal education activities organized for children in temporary reception centres. 

  1. Further strengthen the capacity of teachers/facilitators/educators in teaching English and German as a foreign language, utilizing digital technologies through a blended approach to enhance the interaction with learners, individually and collectively, within and outside the learning session. 

  1. Capacitate implementing partners and public schools to use the language learning technology for language learning.  

  1. Support education authorities and universities in developing methodological guidance on blended learning approaches and compile best practices on the implementation of the digital course in formal settings and complement ongoing digitalization efforts supported by UNICEF and other partners. 

  1. Ensure the Akelius Digital Language course will be accredited by education authorities as one of the digital solutions of choice for foreign language learning. 

Expected Results:

 

  1. 1,000 children per year aged 5-18 will use the Akelius English and German language course in two temporary reception centres and 9 public schools  

  1. 9 public schools in two cantons will continue to be capacitated to use the education technology for language learning in the classrooms and through language clubs 

  1. 350 teachers and teaching assistants will be trained on the use of the English and German language course and blended teaching and learning approaches and have strengthened digital competencies 

  1. By July 2025, the Akelius Digital Language course will be the digital solution of choice for foreign language learning by education authorities and used in all primary schools in Una-Sana Canton and Canton Sarajevo. 

UNICEF BiH has been working on improving the digital environment in selected schools by procuring tablet devices and covers, headphones, charging cases and projectors. Additionally, in partnership with the education authorities connectivity will be improved in selected schools in Una- Sana Canton with procurement of LAN switches, access points and routers.  

More information on the programme: 

  • Unlocking Learning 
    The use of digital learning to support the education and inclusion of refugees and migrant children in Bosnia and Herzegovina 

  • UNICEF BiH supports the education authorities in Canton Sarajevo in strengthening the digital competencies of educators, blended learning approaches and the use of the Akelius Digital Language course. Take a look at the experiences of Bogdanka Dubak, English language teacher in Primary school Prva osnovna škola Ilidža in implementing the Akelius Digital Language course in the 8th grade. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64SKxX8XccE 

  • UNICEF BiH, in partnership with World Vision, is implementing the Akelius Digital Language course in two reception centres in Una-Sana Canton and Canton Sarajevo, supporting non-formal education for children on the move. Take a look at the experiences of Elma Šabanović, English language teacher in TRC Ušivak in implementing the Akelius Digital Language course with unaccompanied children on the move.