The Project - DiLanEdu-WB

About the Project

In the Digital Age, as children spend increasingly more time in the digital world at the expense of time spent in physical interaction with other children, digitalization of language instruction is imperative to improve oral communication, language skills and reduce anxiety in speaking tasks. The necessity to integrate digital methods and tools in language education and study has been identified in the West Balkans, where strategies have been developed for digital transformation setting digital competencies as a primary aim in the transformation of their educational systems.

Common issues identified therein include the inadequate qualification of teachers, including language teachers, to integrate digital tools and methods in the teaching and learning process, as well as the absence of adequate digital content in WB languages.

Project Objectives

Hereupon, this project aims to improve the quality of language education in the WB Higher Education Area by strengthening the participating HEI language teacher-training curricula with ICTs. The project will also establish and operationalize specialized laboratories. The particular objectives of the project are as follows:

The updating and enhancing existing curricula to incorporate digital methods and tools in language teaching, learning and research in new & innovative transformations of older disciplines (e.g., computational linguistics) and the development of new micro credentials training programmes for pre-university education teachers in the same discipline.

The establishment or enhancement of specialized laboratories of digital methods and tools in language teaching, learning and research.

The establishment of a network of institutions and individuals sharing similar interests in using and promoting digital tools in language teaching & learning, as well as in linguistic scientific research.

The project will thus develop capacities in the following three directions: Digital Language Education, Instruction of language skills & intercultural skills in a digital environment, and Digital transformation in discourse & linguistic analysis.

Expected Impact

The "Digital Transformation in Language Study and Education of the Western Balkans" project aims to modernize and enhance language study and education in the region using digital technologies. It can improve access to education, especially in remote areas, through online platforms and resources. The project enables the use of interactive tools and artificial intelligence for a more immersive learning experience. It also provides a wider range of language courses and facilitates collaboration and cultural exchange among students. Additionally, it focuses on training language educators in the effective use of digital tools.

Short-term effects

The project will provide students and educators in the Western Balkans with access to diverse digital language-learning tools, enabling interactive and personalized learning experiences.
It will enhance students’ language proficiency through innovative, immersive digital methods that support practical, real-life language use.

Medium-term effects

By integrating digital technologies into language education, the project aims to improve learning outcomes by offering high-quality resources and personalized experiences that boost motivation, engagement, and academic performance.
The project will strengthen digital literacy among students and educators by helping them develop practical skills in using digital tools for language learning, preparing them for an increasingly digital world.

Long-term effects:

The project will help bridge the digital divide in the Western Balkans by ensuring equal access to digital learning resources, reducing educational disparities and supporting learners from disadvantaged backgrounds.
By improving language proficiency and digital literacy, the project will enhance employability and participation in the global economy, while transforming language education into a more student-centered, flexible, and personalized learning experience that builds 21st-century skills.

Target Groups

The main target group of the DiLanEdu-WB project is the academic and technical/administrative staff of participating institutions in the Western Balkans region. Language teachers and educators are a significant focus, benefiting from digital tools and resources to improve teaching methods and facilitate language learning. Students also benefit from new curricula and courses incorporating digital methods and tools. Graduates gain advantages in the labor market and can contribute to innovative solutions in education.
Schools, universities, and other education institutions in the region can collaborate to integrate digital transformation into their programs.

Participating HEIs improve teaching practices, foster cooperation, enhance competitiveness, and access funding opportunities. Policy makers and government officials can be informed and influenced by the project's findings. Researchers and academics interested in language study and education in the Western Balkans region can contribute to the project's research. The overall ambition is to integrate the region within the EU through advancements in digital education and research.