SPEAK UP - Actively participating learner 

Summary

The project aimed to improve our pupils’ civic and communication skills through active participation in shared decision making at the school. This increased their sense of social inclusion and equality, as all pupils participated in the project. The project also provided school staff with new tools and approaches for teaching civic engagement and communication, and for encouraging pupils to participate in shared decision making. Pupils collaborated with international peers in an eTwinning project and during a group trip to Spain. 

“The pupils are eager to participate and be involved in decision making. Pupils are the best experts by experience on school’s everyday life.”

Topic(s) addressed 

• Encouraging and supporting pupils to become actively participating learners
• Teaching and learning civic and communication skills
• Bilingual teaching
• Inclusive democratic participation

Target group(s)  

• The whole school community including 418 students and 60 staff members   

Methodologies used 

The project employed methods such as project-based, student-centred, and collaborative learning. Activities followed a multidisciplinary approach, recognising that civic and communication skills can be integrated across all school subjects.  

Many activities emphasised a student-centred approach and pupils used peer learning as part of the learning process.  

The project combined both informal and formal elements, linking classroom lessons, workshops and online collaboration through platforms like eTwinning.  

The project highlighted the active role of learners and supported the development of key competences - skills, knowledge and attitudes - on the project’s core themes.  

Innovation environment 

The project created an environment where pupils could learn and practise their communication and civic skills through real-life activities, such delivering speeches, voting in a mock presidential election, drafting initiatives to improve everyday school life, or developing debating skills.  

Pupils also practised their language skills through collaboration with students from the partner school.   

The project highlighted the school’s role in promoting social and democratic inclusion, as well as active participation in society.  

Activities followed a whole school approach which promoted equality in the school community.  

Teachers’ role 

Teachers gained new methodologies for teaching civic and communication skills and improved their language competences.  

They shared methods and good practices with colleagues both at home and in the partner school. Those who participated in mobility activities brought back new experiences and innovations, which they used to inspire and train their peers.  

Teachers played a key role in motivating and supporting pupils to become more active participants in the school community.  

Impact and output 

Pupils are now more eager to participate in shared decision making, both at the school and in the local community.  

Their communication and presentation skills have improved, enabling them to communicate and express their views more effectively. They have also learned to give and receive feedback in a respectful and constructive way.  

The activities promoted inclusion and equality in the school community, giving all the pupils the opportunity to participate in international cooperation.  

Both staff members and pupils have shown increased interest in international cooperation.  

Teachers now have new tools and ideas for teaching civic and communication skills, as well as for foreign language teaching.  

Learn more about the project

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