Visibility of eTwinning Projects Group July 2026 Newsletter with peers from other countries, only to find out that the same words were unfamiliar to all participating schools.
Impact on students Perhaps the most encouraging outcome of the project was the change in students ' attitudes towards reading in English. What many initially considered difficult gradually became one of the most enjoyable aspects of the project, demonstrating that literature can be highly engaging when combined with creativity and international collaboration.
The three online meetings provided authentic opportunities to communicate in English with peers from Turkey and Romania. Many students described these meetings as the highlight of the project because, for the first time, they were able to use English naturally in conversations with students from another country. As a result, numerous participants reported greater confidence in speaking English and especially noticed vocabulary development.
The final evaluation confirmed these observations. Every participating student stated that they would recommend the project to their classmates, while most rated their English reading skills as very good by the end of the project.
Students also emphasised that the combination of reading, creativity, and international cooperation made learning English more enjoyable and motivating than usual, traditional classroom activities.
Lessons learned One of the most valuable lessons from Global Book Explorers – International Book Club is that students are much more willing to read in English when books become a starting point for meaningful interaction rather than traditional comprehension exercises. Carefully selected stories encouraged discussions about friendship, family, values, dreams, and culture instead of simply checking whether students understood the text.
The project also confirmed that technology is most effective when it serves clear educational goals. Digital tools such as Canva, Mentimeter, Padlet, Wordwall, and Zoom did not replace reading – they enriched it by giving students opportunities to create, collaborate, communicate, and reflect.
Another important lesson was the value of regular online meetings. Students prepared for them with enthusiasm because they knew they would have an authentic audience for their ideas. These meetings transformed English from a classroom subject into a practical means of communication.
Other schools can easily adapt the project. It requires enthusiastic teachers, carefully selected books appropriate to students ' language level, and thoughtfully designed reflection questions that encourage learners to connect literature with their own experiences. When these elements are combined with international cooperation and online meetings, they create a highly engaging and meaningful learning experience.
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