General description about how BALSTA was used in Finland

BALSTA project has increased our knowledge and awareness about how to bridge the gap between English lessons and technical lessons. We have paid more attention to searching for authentic material. The English teachers and technical teachers have attempted to find ways to raise the students' interest for both subjects by co-planning and co-tutoring lessons. We have attempted to strengthen the students' skills in using technical vocabulary.

The main problem with both co-planning and co-tutoring lessons has been the different culture of planning lessons and the lack of time, but co-tutoring has proved to be very difficult due to the 8-week period system in our school.

In a period which includes mainly general subjects, technical subjects are not necessarily included, and vice versa. But for the English teachers, it has been helpful to know which technical subjects are new to the students. This has helped the English teacher to evaluate the level of English that is required in the class: if the subject is unknown for the students, the English that is used has to be easier than the English that is used in a group which is familiar with the techical subject.

Co-operation between content teachers and English teachers has given English teachers more opportunities to find authentic material. Although we have had only a few opportunities to actually carry out these experiments, it can be stated that pedagogically, the method of integrating more authenticity to the learning environment has given the students more motivation.

Balsta forum for everybody

Welcome to the balta forum. Here all the participial countries can write down how they are going after the Balsta project. Please, be active and let us know how you have manage the goals of the project.

-aki