background information on the project: - Further training options as offered by the Grundtvig programme have provided lecturers with vhs BA (adult education centre BA) with invaluable experience and insight. - With the new framework of Eramus+ now being in place, vhs BA still has a vital interest in providing its lecturers with further training options. Hence, seasoned lecturers have developed the new project of “Fortbildungsoffensive” to replace “Grundtvig”. aims of the project: - lecturers are to improve their linguistic & teaching skills and raise their intercultural awareness - improve the quality and variety of courses offered at vhs BA, especially those run by the foreign languages department - Lecturers trained in the country whose language they teach back at home are better qualified to contribute to eliminating traditional stereotypes. This might prove instrumental in bringing about a European sense of unity / a sense of European-ness (emphasise similarities, explain and overcome differences in the context of intercultural learning). Number of participants: - at least four participants from three different European countries for the duration of two years qualifications of participants: - experienced lecturers (who may already have proved particularly committed to previous programmes/projects) description of activities: - attending a two-week course at a language school; individual choice of focus of studies during those two weeks would be preferable (just linguistic skills, teaching skills, intercultural awareness) - general programme to get to an in-depth idea of what the country and the people whose language they teach are really about how the project is to proceed: - -with the help of sprachenmarkt.de or similar providers the individual lecturer will choose the course of their liking most likely to meet their personal needs - the role of vhs BA is to offer advice in case of problems and establish contact between experienced participants of the programme and newcomers intended effects: a) on the part of the participants: improve linguistic and teaching skills, raise cultural awareness; boost lecturer’s motivation and hence improve quality of the courses offered b) on the part of vhs BA: improve quality of the courses; extend the range of courses on offer for both the town of BA and its surrounding area; continue on the path of success vhs BA has already achieved c) on the part of the participants of the courses offered by vhs BA: provide even more incentive to learn about European languages and their civilisation; communicate even more enthusiasm while teaching about them All parties of the process reflect and further the idea of European integration – a lasting benefit for everyone involved.