On June 6th, 2024, Ethos Hub successfully hosted a focus group as part of the Erasmus+ FOCUS project at Φροντιστήρια Χρόνος (CHRONOS Tutoring Center) in Athens, Greece. The event, led by the psychologist and Ethos Hub president Sofia Drosou, brought together eight dedicated foreign language teachers.

Purpose of the Focus Group

The aim of the focus group was to gather insights and share best practices on teaching foreign languages to children with unique learning needs. These discussions are vital to the mission of the FOCUS project, which strives to equip language teachers with innovative tools and methods, such as Game-Based Learning (GBL), to foster an inclusive and effective learning environment for all students.

The project’s ultimate goal is to enhance foreign language teaching techniques, develop accessible learning resources, and create inclusive classroom environments, helping children with learning difficulties overcome both emotional and cognitive barriers. More at https://focus-project.eu/ 

Key Discussions and Insights

The focus group highlighted that emotional challenges often outweigh academic ones for students with learning difficulties in foreign language learning. Teachers emphasized the need to build students’ self-confidence, as many feel disadvantaged, which affects their performance. They shared insights on creating supportive environments where students feel capable of overcoming their challenges. Individualized instruction, silent reading, partner activities, and the use of visual aids were among the strategies discussed to address diverse learning needs.

Additionally, behavioral interventions like immediate praise and selective ignoring of minor disruptions were noted as effective tools for maintaining a positive and inclusive classroom environment. Teachers agreed that focusing on both the emotional well-being and academic growth of students is essential to improving their foreign language skills.

Impact and Next Steps

The insights gathered from the focus group will be shared on the FOCUS project’s website and social media platforms. By disseminating these findings, the project aims to contribute to the broader conversation on enhancing foreign language education for children with learning difficulties. These shared strategies and experiences will provide valuable guidance for educators, helping to create more inclusive and effective learning environments. Moving forward, the project will continue collaborating with educators to refine teaching methods and support children’s linguistic and emotional development.

Ethos Hub would like to extend sincere thanks to the educators who participated in this focus group and to Φροντιστήρια Χρόνος for hosting the event. The collaborative efforts of the participants are invaluable to the future of inclusive language education.