ELOS (European Learning Environment)
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What does ELOS stand for:
The current educational system has the task to prepare young people for a future which will take place less and less in its own country. In the “global village” that the world has become over recent decades, it seems to make more sense than ever for citizens to be familiar with and competent in speaking a foreign language. Citizens of Europe should be aware of what is going on in the world. In order to cooperate with people in other countries it is necessary to learn something about their culture and society. For this reason, in the autumn of 2004, during the Dutch presidency of the EU, the ELOS project has been launched. ELOS, which stands for European Learning Environment in schools, is an educational concept which main aim is to prepare young people for a future in a society in which European integration and globalization are a reality. In brief, ELOS is about students developing ‘Europe competence’ being willing and able to act as an active citizen in a European and wider international context. In order to integrate this approach in our curriculum and school policies we are collaborating with partner schools in Europe. One of our main action points is for pupils to be able to work and communicate with peers from other countries and cultures on joint tasks and projects. Furthermore, in several lessons pupils will be taught about European cultures and the functioning of the EU. |
The importance of ELOS for rsg Wiringherlant:
The importance of ELOS at our school is motivated by the fact that the European decision-making machinery becomes more and more important. Europe becomes increasingly important and especially for our youngsters. rsg Wiringherlant is striving to stimulate pupils to orientate on foreign countries, particularly in Europe. Apart from the fact that pupils get into contact with the daily culture of a foreign country because of internalization it is also an extra incentive that pupils are “forced” to speak a foreign language in order to interact meaningfully with peers from other countries and thereby develop their speaking skills.
Of course there is also the possibility for teachers to orientate at a European level and compare educational systems and levels.
Our school is in the centre of an area, the Wieringermeer polder, which from way back maintains traditional European contacts from the fields of agriculture and fishery. The establishment of the advanced greenhouse company “Agriport A7 ”the largest greenhouse installation of Europe has given this development an enormous boost. There is a lot of international activity going on because the company has employed many foreign workers from different countries of the EU. Also in the field of sport and music a lot of contacts are maintained. This makes it imperative for our pupils to be orientated at a European level.
Mission and objectives:
Within the mission and the objectives of rsg Wiringherlant, the development of an independent, critical but especially responsible pupil is the central focus.
We want our pupils to become young adults who are able to take responsibility and contribute independently to society and especially know how to maintain themselves in society. This requires knowledge of that society in the broadest sense. The school’s task is to ensure that pupils acquire these skills and knowledge so that they can function as a full, participatory citizen, within Europe.
In order to prepare pupils to society and social education and to stimulate community involvement the school carries out an active international policy. ELOS has a structural place in the curriculum.
