Active Methodologies and Competence-Based Learning
Active Methodologies in Modern Education
Active methodologies are instructional approaches that place the student at the heart of the teaching-learning process. According to the Basque Curriculum Decree, they shift the focus from a passive model to one where students play an active role in constructing their own knowledge. They are the “keystone” of the system because they align the what, why, and how of teaching to achieve the Student Exit Profile.
These methodologies are essential because they promote meaningful learning (ikaskuntza esanguratsua) and allow students to develop higher-order thinking skills, such as critical and creative thinking. Instead of just memorizing facts, students learn to apply knowledge to solve real-life problems. They bridge the gap between classroom learning and the social challenges of the 21st century, ensuring that education is inclusive and effective.
Project-Based Learning in Practice
One of the most common active methodologies is Project-Based Learning (PBL). It is a student-centered approach where learners acquire knowledge and skills by working over an extended period to investigate and respond to an authentic, engaging, and complex question, problem, or challenge.
Case Study: The Healthy Menu Project
- Task: Students design a new healthy menu for the school canteen.
- Process: In small groups, students research food groups, interview a nutritionist, design a balanced weekly menu in English, and present their proposal to the “School Board.”
- Outcome: Students master food-related vocabulary, modal verbs for suggestions, and persuasive speaking skills through a real-life task.
Competence-Based Education
The Basque Country Curriculum utilizes a competence-based education model that focuses on preparing students for life rather than for exams. Key competences are a combination of knowledge, skills, and attitudes students need to acquire in every subject. These are interdisciplinary, meaning they can be developed across multiple subjects to help students become competent citizens.
The Student Exit Profile
The Exit Profile defines the key competences and operational descriptors that all students must achieve by the end of compulsory education. It serves as the main reference for curriculum design, learning situations, and evaluation. It ensures coherence between what students learn and what society expects, focusing on:
- Communication
- Digital skills
- Citizenship
- Learning to learn
Multilingualism and Translanguaging
Translanguaging refers to the natural and flexible use of different languages by multilingual speakers to communicate and learn. It allows students to draw on all their linguistic resources to build meaning, promoting inclusion and validating diverse linguistic identities.
Code-Switching Strategies
- Regulatory code-switching: Used for classroom management, behavior, and organization (e.g., giving instructions or maintaining discipline).
- Instructional code-switching: A deliberate, pedagogical use designed to aid language or content learning, such as explaining difficult vocabulary or clarifying complex concepts.