Erasmus+, introducing new cultures
From June 26 to July 2, I had the opportunity to attend the courses held at « Erasmus + Courses Croatia Teacher Training Center», in Split, a very picturesque and historic city, to deepen my English knowledge.
It’s been a pleasure to be part of the project team. All of the activities were intense, yet in the end, it was all worth it, because I improved my teaching and English language skills; also, along the way, I made friends of different nationalities with whom I talked freely in English.
I can admit that studying a different language is a challenge as difficult as it is rewarding.
Promoting linguistic diversity and learning foreign languages is one of the program’s objectives. The lack of linguistic skills represents one of the main barriers in participating in European education programs. The opportunities created to provide linguistic support play a major role in making international mobility more effective, in improving learning skills and therefore, contributing to the specific objective of the program.
The course Improving English language skills led to consolidating the capacity to cooperate in an international team, the participants coming from various countries of the continent- Italy, Poland, France, Latvia, Portugal, Romania, fact which favored the improvement of transcultural exchanges of the participating teachers.
For me, this context was an amazing experience that deepened all my four communication skills- listening, speaking, reading and writing.
The training was very well thought-out and coordinated by Marina Dević, who provided us with support materials that really catered our training needs. The program was balanced and diversified, mixing theoretical classes with practical activities concerning the Croatian culture and civilization. The trainers were very to the point yet open, their theoretical notions strongly backed up by good practical examples. The relaxed mood provided us the opportunity to ask questions freely and receive on-the-spot answers.
Following participation to the training program:
- learning was achieved by reading comprehension, creative writing exercises such as telling a story or by voicing our opinions;
- I enhanced my communication abilities;
- I got familiar with the education system from other countries: Poland, Spain, Croatia, Latvia, Portugal and Slovenia;
- All the participants shared the problems they are facing in the classroom, with their students, and I was surprised to see that they are very similar to our own;
- I improved my English language level;
- I got familiar with the mobility of the Erasmus+ program;
- I made friends among the participants and we still keep in touch;
The training course met very well my training needs. I learned how to apply modern teaching techniques by means of online instruments, tutorials, teaching through songs and stories or Active Floor. Thanks to this course, I shall be nearer and more open with my students, while our French language classes are more interactive.
This project was a unique opportunity to receive new information and put it to good use. It’s been an experience combined with team work mingled with responsibility, cultural and social development. I am sure that for the future such knowledge will be a real help.
My professional activity benefits, by improving my professional abilities in various fields, as well as social, organizing and practical abilities.
The training center is located in the city of Split, bearing the symbol of the Diocletian Palace, under the oversight of UNESCO. The trip back the history lane included visiting an archeological site, Salona, and the museum-city of Trogir, built 300 years ago by the ancient Greeks. This is one of the roman-gothic cities of Central Europe, which placed it on the UNESCO list.
This training made me richer from an intellectual, cultural and spiritual point of view; it made me dare for more.
