THE BSI METHOD - A EUROPEAN EXPERIENCE FOR TEACHING A FOREIGN LANGUAGE

Abstract

Started in November 2007, the Lifelong Learning European Project no. 134405-LLP-1-2007-1-TR-COMENIUS-CMP entitled Broad Sweeps of Imagination: A New Method to Teach a Foreign Language (http://www.bsiproject.com) is carried out with the duration of two years, having the main objective the preparation, testing and implementation of a teacher training course for in-service teachers in foreign languages that aims to speak up about the effectiveness of an innovative method called Broad Sweeps of Imagination (BSI) and to disseminate it in wider European context. The method combines different approaches and techniques for learning new information and foreign language teaching. The combination of those elements combined in an integrated set has proven their effectiveness for rapid building of communicative skills in the foreign language learners. The BSI method combines visual elements (“clumsy pictures”) and approaches that give opportunity to learners to harmonize their previous learning with the recent ones. In addition to its effectiveness for communicative foreign language learning, BSI method fosters multicultural awareness, intercultural competencies and respect towards the values of the other cultures, integrated in the foreign language learning process. The partnership of the BSI project includes five partners from four countries: Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania and Italy. Besides the teacher training courses for in-service teachers in foreign languages the project is aimed also at cascading the BSI method to teachers who teach great variety of foreign languages, creating of a network of trained foreign language teachers who will further act as disseminators of the innovative method, and elaborating of Guideline on BSI method for foreign language teachers that will encompass the basic principles of the BSI method. The efforts of the project partnership will be backed up by a specially created e-platform which supports the work by providing opportunity for on-line advice and exchange of comments, opinions and supporting materials, as well as for collecting feedback on the transferability and applicability of the BSI method.