Visibility of eTwinning Projects Group July 2026 Newsletter
Open Books... Open Minds demonstrates how international collaboration can enrich Initial Teacher Education by connecting universities, schools and future teachers within a shared European educational framework. Through storytelling, preservice teachers develop professional, linguistic and intercultural competences while designing authentic learning experiences for young children.
The project further illustrates how storytelling supports language learning, creativity and inclusion simultaneously. By integrating literature, arts, drama and collaborative learning into English language education, the project promotes meaningful participation for all children, including those from multilingual and multicultural backgrounds.
Marzia Luzzini is a professor at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart( Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore) in Milan, an Erasmus + Ambassador for Schools, the Coordinator for Initial Teacher Education within the Faculty of Primary Education, an educational consultant, author of books and scholarly publications in pedagogy and author of CLIL( Content and Language Integrated Learning) teaching activities for various educational journals.
The experience confirms that cooperation among European universities and schools can generate innovative educational practices that benefit both future teachers and young learners while contributing to the development of a shared European educational community.
Bibliography: * Bruner, J.( 1996). The Culture of Education. Harvard University Press. * Council of Europe.( 2020). Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment. Companion Volume. Council of Europe Publishing. * Vygotsky, L. S.( 1978). Mind in Society. Harvard University Press.
198