Activities

5 focus group interviews with total of 30 participants were conducted across all partner countries. The focus group brought together a diverse range of professionals, including academics, educators, researchers, artists, policymakers, and practitioners from fields such as linguistics, pedagogy, digital education, public policy, and the creative industries. Each interview featured 6 respondents - internal and external stakeholders - who shared a common interest in enhancing foreign language teaching through challenge-based learning in digital environments. Their discussions explored the intersections of modern language teaching methods, intercultural citizenship education, and innovative pedagogy, providing valuable insights for the consultation process.

 

Stakeholder Focus Group Interview held in Bulgaria

The first of five planned focus group interviews took place on February 17, 2025, at the premises of the University of National and World Economy (UNWE). This physical event gathered six participants, including academic staff and lecturers, alongside external consultants from the Association of Language Schools in Bulgaria and Alpha Class Ltd. The primary objective of the session was to explore the opportunities and main advantages of utilizing foreign language education to foster intercultural understanding and democratic culture.

The discussion concluded that foreign language education offers a unique opportunity to foster intercultural understanding by exposing learners to diverse perspectives, traditions, and ways of thinking. Ultimately, the session emphasized that language learning plays a main role in promoting respect for other cultures, enhancing communication, and reducing prejudices.

 

Stakeholder Focus Group Interview held by the partners from Ukraine

On February 27, 2025, Sumy State University (SSU) in Ukraine hosted the project's second focus group meeting via the Zoom platform. The online discussion joined six experts from various backgrounds, including university researchers, language postgraduate students, a local visual artist, and civic leaders in youth work and community development. During the session, foreign language education was highlighted as a key for a deeper understanding of global democratic systems, directly helping to build a balance between universal democratic ideals and national identity.

 

Stakeholder Focus Group Interview held by the partners from Romania

The third focus group interview was organised virtually via the Microsoft Teams platform on February 28, 2025, under the organization of Romania's George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology (UMFST) of Târgu Mureș. The online event brought together six experts, including academic staff and lecturers from UMFST, an English language teacher from Tudor Vladimirescu Secondary School, and external professionals representing the Mureș Bar Association and Edu Publishing House. The outcomes of the meeting highlighted a shared confidence that the ENLACED project will significantly contribute to this academic domain and democratic environment based on non-discrimination, human rights, and respect for local, national and European institutions.

 

Stakeholder Focus Group Interview held by the partners from Cyprus

The fourth project discussion organized on March 10, 2025, by the University of Nicosia (UNIC) in Cyprus, was conducted online on the Webex platform. Six specialists took part in the session, including university professors of literature and applied linguistics, secondary school English teachers, and an operational assistant from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Cyprus.

The dialogue highlighted that language teachers can use different texts, media, and global content to boost cultural understanding in the classroom. The main conclusions pointed toward the necessity of fostering a culture of collaboration, providing professional development opportunities, and ensuring that curricula remain flexible enough to incorporate democratic values and multicultural perspectives.

 

 

Stakeholder Focus Group Interview held by the partners from Bulgaria

The first phase of focus groups concluded on March 20, 2025, with a final focus group discussion organized via the Google Meet platform. This online session involved six participants from Bulgaria, including representatives from Tetra Solutions Ltd., alongside English language educators from schools and language centers in Burgas, Stara Zagora, Sevlievo, and Yambol.

The primary focus of the dialogue was the integration of the competences outlined in the Reference Framework of Competences for Democratic Culture (RFCDC). During the session, it was analysed how foreign language education can actively foster intercultural understanding and build a democratic culture.