On November 27 and 28, 2023, the Kick off meeting of the European project FOCUS “Foreign Language Opportunities for Children with Unique Skills” was held with great success and participation at the Public University of Ptuj in Slovenia. 

The challenge addressed by the FOCUS project is the lack of knowledge and skills of foreign language teachers in effectively teaching children with learning difficulties. This challenge is compounded by the increasing emphasis on foreign language acquisition as a tool, rather than just a learning content, in primary schools across EU countries. As a result, there is a need to create inclusive learning environments and develop new and innovative methods for teaching foreign languages to children with learning difficulties. The project aims to renew and systematize educational practices, develop accessible learning resources, address emotional and cognitive barriers, and tackle language barriers to provide a more inclusive and effective learning experience for all students.

The aim of the FOCUS project is to transform the landscape of foreign language education to one that is inclusive and accessible to all students – especially those with learning difficulties who face systemic barriers. More at https://focus-project.eu/