Akelius Digital Language course

The students of the fifth grade of primary school "Ostrožac" in Cazin have been attending the Akelius digital platform for learning foreign languages since the beginning of last year. There are currently 14 of them in this class. Children learn the German language through a blended approach using standard didactic tool such as chalk and blackboard as well as the Akelius application on tablets. Edvin* and Lamija* have been attending German language classes since the beginning. "I was in the fourth grade when the teacher told us that we would get an additional class, and it would be learning with the help of Akelius. In the next class, two new teachers came to us and introduced themselves, explained what we would learn with them and said that we would use tablets. All the students knew how to use tablets except me because it was my first time to see a tablet. I was very surprised and excited! It looked like a big cell phone, which was something new and different for me. I am very happy to use it in learning a foreign language!" said Lamija *, while Edvin* added "I used Akelius for the first time in my life in the fourth grade. I liked that and I always enjoy coming to these classes because I can learn new material that I might never have learned on my own or in a standard school class. The teachers are wonderful to us, they are always happy to explain everything to us. We also have our accounts on the tablet where we collect coins and I can always compete with my friends who has won more coins and passed more levels, which is a lot of fun". 

Student Aleyna*,   who moved from Slovenia with her family, recently joined this fifth grade. Since her first visit, this student has not missed a single foreign German language class utilizing the Akelius Digital Language course.  Aleyna* pointed out that she only heard praise from other friends for these classes, that they are very interesting and that she uses a tablet, which is not the case in other classes: "The teachers were very kind to us, and they said that we can learn foreign languages on tablets, how cool is that! If it were not for teachers using Akelius application, my knowledge would certainly be less than it is today. I couldn't wait for Monday and Wednesday so I could enjoy and hang out with my friends and also study." 

Through the implementation of the Akelius programme in Una-Sana Canton, UNICEF and Save the Children strive to integrate additional language learning opportunities into the foreign language curriculum, ensuring access to quality education for children in six primary schools. Akelius foreign language classes are implemented through Akelius English and German language clubs, as well as in regular classes in primary schools in the area of Bihać and Cazin: Harmani I, Harmani II, Prekounje, Gornje Prekounje-Ripač, Ostrožac and Stijena. The Akelius Digital Language course is also being implemented in two primary schools in Canton Sarajevo and also for language learning with children on the move in two reception centres in Canton Sarajevo and Una-Sana Canton.  

Since the start of the UNICEF BiH and Akelius foundation partnership in July 2020, over 5,000 children have been accessing the Akelius Digital Language course out of which almost 3,000 children on the move. 

Children at school are happy to acquire knowledge and new material via Akelius Digital Language course through group or independent work using research methods. In acquiring and learning a new foreign language, Akelius digital language course helps children bring new knowledge closer to them through songs, games and methodical exercises, such as Memory. Children like the animated application that is made exclusively for them and adapted to their interests and talents. 

Lejla Sadiković, the teacher of the Akelius German language program points out that she is very satisfied with their progress, and notes that she is especially proud of the little girl Lamija*, who was introduced to a tablet for the first time in these classes, and today her language skills have reached a more advanced level. She says that visible progress has been achieved from the beginning when they learned how to use tablets, until now when they do most of the actions independently. „ In addition to technical skills, I regularly included creative workshops and language exercises from regular classes. Today Lamija*, Edvin* and Aleyna* together with the whole class use tablets, learn new terms and happily participate in creative content sections and use Akelius as a didactic tool through a blended approach.“ 

The atmosphere in the class significantly affects the work and progress of each child in all the selected schools there is a healthy environment and, above all, friendship between each student, but also the desire for new knowledge and skills that the Akelius application provides. 

In July 2020 UNICEF Bosnia and Herzegovina, together with partners Save the Children and World Vision, introduced the Akelius Digital Learning application to support children’s language learning in TRCs including English, German and French. The use of the digital learning application subsequently expanded to formal schools in Una-Sana and Sarajevo Cantons that integrate refugees and migrants. The co-creation and implementation of the digital learning application started in 2017, as part of the UNICEF-Akelius Foundation global partnership. The digital learning application is free, includes no advertising and requires no prior user information to access. It can be accessed online via a web browser, or online and offline (when content is downloaded) through a mobile application on tablets or mobile phones. The content and features of the learning application are developed through a co-creation approach with frequent communication and feedback from teachers based on the real-world use of the learning application with students. The digital learning application is being implemented in different countries with the support of UNICEF Country Offices 

Through the generous support of the Swedish National Committee for UNICEF and the Akelius foundation over 5000 children have been accessing the Akelius Digital Language course and had the opportunity to learn English and German through a blended learning approach and schools were supported with 180 tablet devices, improved connectivity and other technical equipment. UNICEF plans to support additional capacity building for foreign language teachers, strengthening digital competencies of educators and blended learning approaches.