Poland, Euro 2012, and EuroLang-2012 Project
Despite the fact that Poland is a partner of Ukraine for Euro 2012, the concept of the language training of the population in Poland is radically different from that of Ukraine.
English language courses will not be held within the framework of Polish volunteer programs, which means that 3,000 Polish volunteers, who will be involved in the organization of Euro 2012 in Poland, should speak English at least on the basic level.
The Polish approach is to interest foreign football fan in learning the Polish and Ukrainian languages through the EuroLang-2012 international interactive program (www.eurolang2012.com). The authors of the program are scientists who work at the Warsaw Academy of Computer Science. According to them, this program will help guests of Euro 2012 to easily overcome language barriers in Poland and Ukraine.
The aim of this project is to maximize the linguistic and cultural convergence of host and guest nations of the Euro 2012 Football Championship. The program is based on the advanced e-learning technology which ensures the maximum functionality and simplicity for language learners. The program uses comprehensive training material to teach Polish and Ukrainian, including online language courses and a spoken language guide that presents typical spoken situations that will be faced by Euro 2012 guests.
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The target audience of the EuroLang 2012 Project is football fans from the European Union and Russia.
This Project is non-commercial and therefore the access to it is free. All registered users can freely use the Project's materials. The materials are illustrated and voiced as much as possible.
In addition to the sports vocabulary, the website offers maximum information to make everyday communication less stressful for foreigners in Poland and Ukraine during the UEFA Euro 2012 Football Championship. The project tries to attract the widest possible audience because its website is available in 25 European languages.
The structure of the website is interactive and includes the following elements:
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• A glossary that contains 5,000 words divided into 40 categories (accommodation, transportation, staying, time, money, assistance, etc.) and 18 lessons. Each of the lessons helps to learn 10-12 words of the glossary. The words are duplicated graphically and are accompanied by sound tracks;
• A guide-book translated into 25 languages including the Ukrainian and Polish languages. One can print these materials to make small pocket guides of them;
• An audio part of the language course makes it possible to listen to phrases used in the language course with a detailed translation of each word;
• The "Poland and Ukraine" section provides the general information about the host countries, including the information about the language, culture, history, way of life, places that are worth visiting and so on. On each page, one can view promotional reels that cover certain topics.
The Project's updates are regularly distributed through such channels as a monthly newsletter, an online forum and a RSS-feed.
EuroLang-2012 is not only a language guide for football fans and guests who will come to Poland and Ukraine during Eurocup 2012, but also an effective tool for strengthening intercultural relations and introduction of "new and unknown" Europe to the EU residents.
In addition to the coverage of football events, the Project will perform a function of a language and cultural assistant, and contribute to deepening the cross-cultural communication. To this end, the website will offer the brief information about the sights to see in Poland and Ukraine.
The Project is implemented within the framework of the European Commission's Lifelong Learning Program which finances three-quarters of the Project's budget.
The Project partners with organizations from five countries: Bulgaria (the European Center for Education and Training), Germany (Himmel & Jord Gmbh), Italy (Villa Montesca Research and Training Center), Belgium (Hasselt University), and Poland (Warsaw Academy of Computer Science). Representatives of these organizations will ensure the promotion and management of the Project in their respective countries.
Source (in Ukrainian) is here.
