V. 3. Extending the topic

The MOLAN project was a network project carried out from December 2007 to February 2011. The word MOLAN is an acronym and it stands for the longer phrase Network for the exchange of information about good practices that serve to MOtivate LANguage learners. The project was also supported by the Eruropean Commission under the Lifelong Learning Programme, Key Activity 2.  Network projects are based on cooperation and collaboration of many partners from diverse countries and different sectors. The MOLAN project for example comprised 37 education institutions (schools from the public education system as well as higher education institutions), authorities and organisations from 18 participating EU countries and Switzerland. In addition, there were nine experts from the area of education who made important theoretical contributions to the project.

The general aim of the project was to identify and share those policies, strategies and practices from all over Europe that could motivate young Europeans to successfully learn foreign languages. MOLAN partners prepared more than 80 case studies which could be and still can be adapted by other countries and institutions as well. This is why the sustainability of the project is of utmost importance. In order to make the good practices available after the closure of the project as well, IT can provide a solution. The website is regularly updated beyond the end of the project period as well. The organization responsible for the updates is the European Language Council. (ELC). In addition to offering a wide range of good practices, the MOLAN project identified four success factors for enhancing learner motivation. These include (1) innovative teaching and learning practices, (2) national and European language policies, (3) cooperation and mobility, and the (4) proper certification of language learning.
For further details see: http://www.celelc.org/archive/Projects-and-Reports/999-molan/molan-doc/MOLAN_Handbook.pdf