>Exploring your idea

eLanguages Project Toolkit

Section 1: Exploring the idea

Before you start serious planning you need to decide upon some crucial issues. Study the notes of guidance below and think about each question before going to the Project Notepad where you can make very brief notes before committing ideas to the project page on eLanguages.

The idea

What is your idea? Do you have a clear idea or is it still quite vague?
If you are still trying to clarify your idea, have you searched for inspiration on eLanguages?
Have you looked at other projects on eLanguages?
Why do you think your idea is a good one?
- Is it good simply because it will bring pupils into contact with other pupils in other countries?
- Is it good because it will obviously appeal to your pupils?
- Is it good because everyone will be able to take part?
- Is it good because it will enable you and your pupils to use ICT to its best potential?

Your pupils

Which pupils do you want to work with?
How long will it take to complete what you have in mind?
What benefit will it bring to your pupils, which otherwise they may not have?
Do your pupils have the ICT skills needed for the project?

The theme

What theme or topic will you explore?

Is it a theme of relevance to the lives and studies of your pupils? For young pupils, this may simply mean exchanging pictures of family, pets and favourite toys, or how to say common everyday phrases in their respective languages. For older pupils it may involve research and sharing of ideas about social life, films and television programmes, local history as seen in the lives of local heroes, or diversity within local communities.
Is it a cultural theme, does it encourage a sense of citizenship, or does it explore a social theme?
Is it a subject-focused theme such as rivers or transport for geographers or daily life for students of languages, who can share experiences while practising reflexive verbs, the time, and days of the week?