Our modern European classroom full of inclusion, sustainability and new digital technologies

Summary

The Erasmus+ accreditation project of Osnovna škola Ljudevita Gaja deserves the European Language Label because it delivers lasting improvements in language learning, inclusion and digital skills, promotes sustainability, and embeds international cooperation into everyday school life. It offers innovative practices that raise students’ motivation, empower teachers and strengthen the school’s role as a European-minded, forward-looking educational community. 

“I learned a lot. I had started learning Spanish even before Erasmus, but my visit to Spain inspired me to make a bigger effort. I also learned that in addition to foreign languages, we can communicate through games, music, and even food.” 

Topic(s) addressed

• Language
• Communication and literacy
• Sustainability, 
• Digital literacy, 
• Inclusion (cultural inclusion and inclusion of SEN students) 

Target group(s)  

• Teachers and school staff: from 2023 when we got the accreditation, 13 teachers and school staff were directly involved. 
• Students: from 2023, 37 students have directly been involved in the project mobilities and events.  

Methodologies used

The Erasmus+ accreditation project at Osnovna škola Ljudevita Gaja uses innovative, learner centred and competence-based methodologies that combine formal lessons with project work, game-based learning, job shadowing and international collaboration. Multidisciplinary activities link languages with citizenship, science, environmental education and digital tools, while key competences are developed through eTwinning and school projects and monitored usinf formative assessment methods such as observation, presentations and self-reflection. The project connects formal, non-formal and informal learning, promotes inclusion and cooperation, and ensures that learners actively co-create, present and evaluate activities together with teachers and external partners.  

Innovation environment

The project creates learning environments that actively support innovative teaching and learning approaches by combining international mobilities, job shadowing, workshops and classroom projects focused on digitalisation, inclusion and sustainability. The organisation enables innovation through a clear European Development Plan, a positive, collaborative climate and careful, sustainable use of Erasmus+ resources, including green travel and opportunities for pupils with fewer opportunities. A wholeschool approach is ensured by involving teachers from different subjects and year groups and by linking project themes with everyday school life through activities in the school garden, citizenship initiatives such as the debate club, and environmental and language projects carried out throughout the school year. Cross-sectoral cooperation is fostered through collaboration with local stakeholders (e.g. recycling initiatives, community events) and European partner schools, which enriches the innovation environment and supports continuous professional development.

Teachers’ role

Teachers involved in the Erasmus+ accreditation project at Osnovna škola Ljudevita Gaja act as key innovators who bring new methodologies, tools and perspectives into everyday teaching and learning. Through participation in international courses, job shadowing and student mobility activities, they develop advanced competences in inclusive pedagogy, digital tools, sustainable development, languages and communication. They then share good practice with colleagues and integrate it into classroom activities, including science, digital competence and environmental and language projects. Teachers foster wellbeing by creating supportive, intercultural learning experiences during mobilities and school-based workshops, and by encouraging tolerance and mutual understanding, as highlighted during Erasmus Days and project activities presented on the school’s Facebook page. Their cooperation is strengthened by working in an expanded Erasmus team and by organising internal workshops and peer learning sessions.  These activities enable the systematic sharing of new knowledge and the joint design of innovative lessons.  

Impact and output

The innovative teaching and learning processes in the Erasmus+ accreditation project at Osnovna škola Ljudevita Gaja have a direct impact on pupils and teachers by increasing motivation, language skills, digital competences and awareness of sustainability and inclusion. Participants with fewer opportunities are actively included through targeted strategies developed in the Erasmus+ course on inclusion and through opportunities to take part in mobilities and school‑based project activities. The impact spreads beyond the initial target groups: other students and teachers benefit from shared materials, workshops and Erasmus Days, while parents and the local community engage through hosting visiting pupils, participating in events and following project stories on the school’s website and Facebook page.

Learn more about the project