Sokolova E. I. European union policy in lifelong foreign language learning. LIFELONG EDUCATION: The 21st Century.
2013. № 2. DOI: 10.15393/j5.art.2013.2086


Issue 2

Education Management in an open global society

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European union policy in lifelong foreign language learning

Sokolova E I
PhD, associate professor, head of the Department of Foreign Languages for Technical Faculties at Petrozavodsk State University
(Petrozavodsk)
sokolova@psu.karelia.ru
Keywords:
lifelong learning
content of education
student-centered approach
modern educational principles
knowledge sharing
virtual language learning
Abstract: In the article a new interpretation of the concept «the content of foreign languages education», caused by the changing objective situation in Europe and all over the world is considered. The most important studies and programs adopted by the European Council in the field of foreign languages education are presented and the modern trends in foreign languages learning are analyzed. The modern content of education is based on the principles of humanization, humanitarization, continuity, openness, diversification, virtuality, which are oriented at the advanced reflection of the evolution problems of society, industry, science, culture, and other spheres of social practices. The new content of education calls for continuity and multi-variability of general and professional education and focuses on the methodological component of education. Based on the European Union documents, the achievements of European countries in language learning communicative competency – linguistic, socio-linguistic, strategic, and social ones are presented. The attempt is made to compare traditional learning system and that of lifelong learning from goal-setting to the expected results. The structure of United European Program outlining the educational path from high school education to adult professional learning is described. Demand for foreign language learning in European countries is registered according to the Internet data for May, 2013.

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15393/j5.art.2013.2086