Foreign language education is a powerful gateway to global citizenship, cultural understanding, and lifelong opportunity. Yet for children with learning difficulties, this gateway can often appear closed or difficult to navigate. The FOCUS project (Foreign Language Opportunities for Children with Unique Skills), co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme, was developed to unlock this potential by providing inclusive, innovative tools to educators across Europe.
Among its most impactful contributions is the FOCUS Digital Database—an online platform that brings together best practices, case studies, professional insights, and practical resources designed specifically for primary school teachers of foreign languages working with children aged 6 to 12 with learning difficulties.
Learning a second language is inherently challenging for most children, and when additional learning needs are involved—such as dyslexia, ADHD, or speech impairments—the challenges multiply. Teachers often struggle to find adapted strategies that maintain linguistic rigour while meeting the unique cognitive and emotional needs of these learners. The FOCUS project directly addresses this by developing a pedagogical framework rooted in Digital Game-Based Learning (DGBL), inclusive methodologies, and soft skills development. The aim is not only to enhance language proficiency but also to foster motivation, engagement, and social inclusion.
The database is a reflection of over two years of collaborative research, piloting, and refinement by a consortium of nine organisations across six countries—Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Lithuania, Slovenia, and Spain. Its content is evidence-based, practitioner-tested, and highly adaptable. It is also available in six languages, making it an accessible tool for a wide array of educators. What sets the database apart is its holistic approach: it does not simply provide lesson plans or theoretical articles but rather a full ecosystem of materials that support the emotional, cognitive, and social dimensions of inclusive education.
With resources ranging from interviews with professionals to tested classroom strategies, the FOCUS Digital Database is more than a repository—it is a growing, living network of inclusive language educators. By engaging with the platform, teachers are not just accessing materials—they are entering a community of practice committed to equity in education. This article explores the core features of the database, the rationale behind its development, and its wider implications for inclusive foreign language teaching.
At the centre of the FOCUS project is its Digital Database, developed to empower teachers with the resources they need to transform classrooms into inclusive learning environments. The platform hosts an array of materials, all curated to help educators better support children who often fall through the cracks of conventional teaching methods. These materials include:
• Research-informed best practices for adapting foreign language instruction to children with learning difficulties
• Case studies from real classrooms across Europe, offering replicable and context-sensitive approaches
• Interviews and focus group insights from foreign language teachers, speech therapists, and occupational therapists
One of the strengths of the database lies in its combination of theory and practice. For example, case studies from Italy demonstrate the impact of differentiated instruction using digital storytelling, while insights from Cyprus highlight how collaborative tasks can boost participation among students with ADHD. Lithuanian contributions reveal how simple adjustments in classroom routines can significantly reduce stress for children with speech delays.
These varied approaches not only demonstrate the flexibility of inclusive methods but also give educators confidence to adapt ideas to their own contexts. Importantly, the resources also encourage teachers to reflect on their own assumptions, thus fostering a more empathetic and responsive classroom culture.
Another noteworthy feature is the inclusion of professional voices. The interviews capture authentic experiences from the field—what works, what fails, and what still needs to be explored. These testimonies not only humanise the data but also help bridge the often-noted gap between policy and practice. When teachers hear directly from colleagues who face similar challenges, the guidance becomes more tangible and applicable.
The FOCUS Digital Database represents more than a project deliverable—it is a commitment to inclusive education. In a time when classrooms are becoming increasingly diverse, teachers need access to tools that are not only innovative but also empathetic. The database meets this need by providing structured, research-based resources while embracing the complexity and humanity of teaching.
By using the FOCUS Database, educators are taking a step towards creating classrooms where every child can thrive, regardless of their learning profile. It reinforces the idea that language education should not be a privilege for the few but a right for all. Ultimately, it is an invitation to join a European movement dedicated to accessible, empowering, and inclusive foreign language teaching.
To explore the FOCUS Digital Database, visit: https://focus-project.eu/database
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ᝰ🖋️ Author of the article: Antonia Nikolaidou, Project Manager & Researcher (Eurosuccess Consulting)
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