Arqus Twinning 2.0 “Innovating in language teaching” at the universities of Lyon 1 and Vilnius

In the framework of the Arqus Alliance’s Twinning 2.0 programme, professors and students from Vilnius University and the University of Lyon 1 collaborated on a project focused on interculturality and the application of artificial intelligence in language teaching, offering an enriching cultural and pedagogical experience.

This Twinning is a partnership between the Institute of Teaching and Education (INSPE) of the University of Lyon 1 and the Faculty of Philology of Vilnius University. The idea emerged from the shared desire of Angeline Durand-Vallot, a teacher at the INSPE and director of the Department of Language Teaching at Lyon 1, and Vitalija Kazlauskienė, a teacher at Vilnius University’s Faculty of Philology, to develop initiatives around pedagogical innovation and interculturality.

In February 2025, a group of five students and their professor from Vilnius University visited the INSPE of Lyon 1 to delve into the theme of interculturality, a central focus in teacher training at UCBL. During their stay, they participated in various courses and workshops covering subjects such as French literature, history and geography, virtual reality, and inclusive education. A research seminar on international openness and interculturality allowed them to exchange perspectives and deepen their understanding of European educational challenges.

In March, five students from Lyon 1, accompanied by their professor, visited Vilnius University to explore innovative pedagogical approaches integrating digital tools and artificial intelligence to enhance language learning. The students, future school and vocational high school teachers, engaged in theoretical instruction and practical workshops, acquiring valuable skills for their future careers.

The programme provided participants with the opportunity to experiment with artificial intelligence in an educational context, addressing ethical considerations and necessary precautions. One student noted that the training not only explored potential uses of AI in teaching but also helped dismantle prevalent misconceptions in France, where the use of such tools is often met with skepticism. Another student, whose thesis focuses on AI, found the workshops particularly beneficial, discovering the diversity of AI tools and understanding the importance of assigning the right task to the appropriate AI by providing clear and targeted prompts.

The exchange culminated in the students’ participation in the international conference “Cultural diplomacy in the service of dialogue” held during the Month of Francophonie in Lithuania. Two students presented their research on AI in language teaching, providing them with a unique opportunity to showcase their work and engage with international experts.

Following this event, both the University of Lyon 1 and Vilnius University students received honorary diplomas from Vilnius University, recognising their commitment and active participation in this intercultural initiative.

Building on this successful exchange, several initiatives are being considered to strengthen the partnership between Lyon’s Institute of Teaching and Education (INSPE) and Vilnius’ Faculty of Philology,  and expand cooperation with other international partners:

• e-Twinning Projects: Facilitating distance collaboration between teachers and students to develop innovative pedagogical projects.
  
• Digital Portfolios: Enhancing intercultural experiences through digital portfolios, including video capsules, where students share their experiences and reflections from their international mobility.
  
• International Exchanges: Organising physical or virtual school exchanges related to modern languages, history-geography, or civic education to raise students’ awareness of cultural diversity.
  
• Online Seminars and Conferences: Hosting online seminars and conferences to provide students with a platform to present their intercultural work and reflections.
  
• Internships and Study Mobilities: Offering internships and study mobility opportunities for INSPE Lyon 1 students at Arqus partner universities in Granada, Graz, Leipzig, Maynooth, Minho, Padua, Vilnius, and Wrocław, allowing them to experience diverse pedagogical methods and enrich their training.
  
• Joint Degree Programme: Developing a joint degree programme between INSPE Lyon 1 and the Department of French Philology at Vilnius University to consolidate academic ties and promote pedagogical excellence internationally.
  

This collaboration exemplifies the Arqus Alliance’s commitment to fostering European academic cooperation centred on innovation and intercultural exchange.

Learn more about Arqus Twinning 2.0 here.