The JOYN 2.0 project social networking and language learning: some preliminary insights

The introduction of social networking in language learning is becoming increasingly important, and as a result, teachers require new skills in their newfound roles as moderators of informal online learning. This paper presents details about a two-year EU Lifelong Learning funded project, namely JOYN 2.0, which aims to promote language learning through social networking http://www.joynlanguages.eu/. The JOYN 2.0 projects examines the process of moderating language learning through the use of social networking by effectively using on-line tools, collaborative learning and autonomous learning opportunities; by enhancing the role of media, particularly on-line media and social media, in language learning; by strengthening cooperation between social media/networks, commercial providers of online learning opportunities and language teaching professionals; and by using more fully the potential of (a) on-line learning resources (b) collaborative learning in social networks; (c) tools such as the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL) and the European Language Portfolio (ELP). There are six partners involved in this project stemming from Ireland, UK, Lithuania, Latvia and Greece. Our task in the UK was to train language teachers for the role as moderators in an informal online learning environment. This was achieved by means of a two-day training event. The next step was for the partner institutions to set up social networks in their respective languages for online learning. To this end, this paper presents the processes involved in this project and some preliminary findings regarding student/moderator reactions towards the use of social networks for language learning.