PLE & PLN for Language Learning and Teaching: A Case Study

Recent developments in learning technologies are creating a significant shift in the educationalexperience. The paper aims at exploring the potential of PLEs (Personal Learning Environments) andPLNs (Personal Learning Networks) through the description of a case study relating to an online traininginitiative: an innovative answer to the “lifelong competency” management approach to language teaching.The case study refers to an online international initiative promoted in 2012 addressed to teachers, trainersand educators from all over the world, passionate about language learning with the use of technologies.The authors of this contribution planned and moderated a five-week training session within “EVO 2012”(Electronic Village Online), offering a free opportunity to discuss and share ideas, practices, experiencethrough a Moodle platform, in synchronous meetings with international experts and asynchronous workingtools. The main aim was to promote greater awareness of this topic, guiding teachers and trainers to theeffective exploitation of the potential of PLE and PLN in EFL (English as a Foreign Language) classes.