STUDY CIRCLES IN SWEDEN. A GREAT WAY TO LEARN TOGETHER
“C&C PROGRAMME” 10 years Later
Educazione degli adulti: attraverso quali vie? Verso quali orizzonti? A distanza di dieci anni dalla mobilità dello staff finanziata da Erasmus+ nel settore Educazione degli adulti e alle attività di job shadowing presso Studieförbundet Vuxenskolan – SV Jämtland- Östersund in Svezia, abbiamo avuto l’occasione di incontrare di nuovo Bodil HENRIKSSON JOHANSSON, la nostra referente svedese, alla quale abbiamo rivolto alcune domande per conoscere più da vicino il funzionamento attuale dei circoli di studio e l’impatto delle attività sulla crescita delle persone e della comunità locale.
Approfondimenti su EPALE – Piattaforma elettronica per l’Apprendimento permanente in Europa
Learning circles & Study circles… apprendere da protagonisti
Study circles may be accounted as key (educational) contributors to local community development as they develop and contribute the following main benefits:
learners search for, improve and exchange knowledge, skills and values; strengthen the interpersonal relations; raise aspirations and self-confidence; open space for the acquisition of new knowledge and skills; reinforce and generate creativity because learners are free to learn; contribute to a higher quality of life within the local communities and higher social cohesion.
10 years after the project “C&C PROGRAMME -The Challenge of Change”…
… Interview with Bodil HENRIKSSON JOHANSSON
Adult education in Sweden: how is it organised?
There are NGO organisations started decades ago on a voluntary basis as a complement to the regular school system with the aim of offering possibilities for everyone to study together in small groups various subjects of common interest.
Why Study Circles? What is their function and objectives?
The Circles offer an opportunity to study subjects of individual interest. Organised by the participants themselves in small groups led by a leader chosen among the circle members or a person with adequate knowledge or skills in the chosen subject. The circles aim for social interaction, learning from each other, free discussions in a democratic atmosphere. The objectives varies depending on the participants interests. The topics can be anything from languages, history, handicraft, hunting, fishing, forging, weaving, sewing, dancing, health and fitness, how to use IT-technic, etc. There are practically no limits.
THE STUDY CIRCLE… A METHOD FOR LEARNING, A TOOL FOR DEMOCRACY AND EMANCIPATORY
Start up a study circle…
Join together minimum 5 persons with the same interest. Contact optional “Studieförbund” (NGO study association).
Tell them about the subject you want to study in a “study circle”. Minimum 5 persons. Or Maximum 10 persons in a study group for pedagogical reasons.
Topics can vary (see above).
Duration 8-10 times (2×45 minutes – can vary). Book room and technical aid as computer, tv, access to internet, book supervisor if needed through the association.
What is the circle leader’s role?
The leaders role is to register members each meeting, lead the discussions, support the group members, be the guarantee for internal democracy, see to every participants opportunity to speak freely.
The circle leader’s role is also to be a coordinator and the contact person between the circle participants and the organization hosting the study circle.
Are there courses to become a circle leader?
Yes. The association/Studieförbundet organizes courses regularly.
What topics can be discussed in study circles?
There are no limits. Anything the participants choose.
Who participates in study circles? Who is the target audience?
Everyone can participate. The target audience is the circle itself.
What are the motivations?
Often to learn or/and practice new things, meet new people, broaden views, social interaction.
Are virtual study circles also active? How they work?
Yes. Most often a mix of in situ and virtual. In rural areas it can be difficult to come to every meeting in person. In those cases you can join via internet.
What are the strengths of study circles? What are the critical points?
The strengths are the social interactions. Critical points can be domination of more active and outspoken participants in combination with a passive leader.
Have you participated in the activities of any study circle? Tell us a memory, a particular anecdote…
Yes several over the years. Language, history of art, Italian cultural, genealogy, book circles. Some years ago I joined an Italian art and cultural circle.
I didn’t know then that the circle leader was a PhD. I’ve never learned so much before in my life about… The Popes horses through history. It was her major at the university. She turned out to be an excellent teacher and after the circle an excellent guide in Italy.
