Our school implemented an eTwinning project Equals= eTwinning with students from the 2nd grade classes (B1, B2, B3, B4) in partnership with a Spanish Junior High School during the school year 2022-2023.
The primary objectives were to foster the students’ understanding of gender equality, SDG 5, and facilitate their connection with peers from a different country utilizing digital tools. Our students were able to enhance their communication skills in a foreign language while simultaneously developing their digital, social, and creative abilities.
Initially, we focused on teaching the students about online safety and netiquette. Subsequently, our focus shifted towards enabling them to comprehend the various gender roles and stereotypes prevalent in different domains, such as work, sports, and homes, emphasizing how these biases can lead to discrimination. The students actively participated in developing strategies to challenge these biases and learned the importance of treating everyone equally and respectfully regardless of their gender.
Students collaborated in creating presentations and written reflections by brainstorming ideas, conducting research, applying critical thinking skills, and participating in forum and Padlet discussions. Students worked in small groups, both within their school and with their partner school, to complete the assigned tasks.
We conducted several online meetings and video conferences with our Spanish partners, and they were exciting and enjoyable experiences. We got to know each other better, and the students were enthusiastic about them.
The project was carried out by the English teacher, Eleni Aliataki. It was integrated into the English lesson, aligning with the curriculum’s language learning objectives. We incorporated authentic materials related to gender equality, such as videos, articles, and discussions, to provide meaningful language practice. We followed a multidisciplinary approach, integrating social studies and cultural awareness. We are proud to have been a part of this initiative and are confident that our students benefited from these experiences.
{besps}etwinning_equal_genders{/besps}