As part of the Language Buddy project, the Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP) – Braga campus, Casa do Professor, and the CIOR Vocational School (Vila Nova de Famalicão) held an Info Day on May 27 with the aim of promoting the project, sharing the results obtained following the pilot phase, and ensuring the sustainability and transferability of the model among local decision-makers and institutions.

The event brought together more than 65 participants, including mentee students from the CIOR Vocational School; mentor students from UCP Braga and the University of Minho; the Vice-Rector of UCP, Paulo Dias; researcher Raquel Rodrigues from UCP Braga; the international project manager at Casa do Professor, Isabel Vieira; the assistant at the Office of International Relations at UCP Braga, Maria José Barbosa; the Director of CIOR, Amadeu Dinis; and the representative of the CIOR School’s Erasmus Office, Nilza Jardim. Other stakeholders interested in the project were also present, notably social workers.

The main objectives of the Info Day were:

• Raise awareness of the Language Buddy project;
• Promote the results achieved, especially following the pilot phase;
• Ensure the model’s transferability and sustainability among local decision-makers and institutions.

The Info Day was an opportunity to share results, but also to bring mentors and mentees closer together, featuring presentations by peers who had already completed the Buddy program sessions.

The Language Buddy project aims to improve language learning for migrant and refugee students, aged 12 to 17, in an informal setting, by intensifying tutoring practices and implementing a peer support system (Buddy Program).

This system will allow students to:

• Gain a better understanding of the culture and educational system of society in a safe environment where their own culture is also valued;
• Be encouraged, if appropriate, to continue their education.

It was also confirmed that 50 pairs of mentors and mentees will complete their 16 sessions each in June. The next step in the project will be the final conference to present the results, which will take place on September 9 in Thessaloniki.

 

This project is co-financed by the European Union through the Asylum, Migration, and Integration Fund.

Funded by the European Union. The opinions and views expressed are, however, solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the EACEA can be held responsible for them.

Grant Agreement (GA) Number: 101141117