TRAVEL, STAY AND STUDY ABROAD or the importance of using a language and study it in a foreign country

As the date of the final exam for the 4^th year students is approaching I notice overriding concerns for being well prepared and go through all the topics which might be subject of the exam.

In February we focused primarily on English speaking countries. Students prepared excellent versions of different topics, presentations, short films and descriptions of places.

One of the presentations was particularly engaging. Why? What made it so absorbing?

It was based on personal experiences in abroad.

The student had stayed and studied at High School in Canada. It was a life-changing experience and one of the most rewarding things I have ever done, he said. 
Being immersed in an entirely new cultural setting could be scary at first, but it's also exciting. 

Cultural differences are more than just differences in language, food and personal habits.

Those who experience cultural differences personally can come to truly understand the others. That’s not just the matter of the language.

In addition, study abroad gives your language skills. You're surrounded by the language on a daily basis and are seeing and hearing it in the proper cultural context. There is no better and more effective way to learn a language than to be immersed in a culture that speaks the language you are learning.

THREE LANGUAGES IN A CLASS

The social event number one of the month, in February was a two-week study visit of guests from Turkey at our school.

Students and teachers had chosen our school for their educational stay and for further partnership. They were interested in technical subjects and languages particularly English.

First, some of the students were a bit reserved and shy. Later on, they participated in the lessons actively.

Eventually, we didn´t just use English in class.






We spoke three languages English, Czech and Turkish as a unique experience of mutually enhancement.

Giving examples in the images...

Hopefully, our partnership and further exchange stays will continue in the future.

DO MARKS MATTER?

We´re at the end of the first half term of the academic year, which means is it time for evaluation of our work and of half term reports.

It’s that time of year when students get their marks and with them, sometimes feel disappointed and frustrated. I think these emotions arise because students often have very different discernments of what marks mean. Their parents have unrealistically high expectations and they are not able to come up to them.

Nowadays, a lot of emphasis is put on the marks. Marks measure a number of things, but basically they measure if students can show that they have learned the standard covered in the subjects.

However, they do not measure all of students´ abilities and skills. This is often the hardest thing to explain to students who are very talented, but have received bad marks. As an example, you are very good at subject, but haven’t demonstrated your knowledge in a satisfied way and haven’t got the highest marks from tests and work. They don’t understand that failure is also a part of the learning process.

Marks are not a measure of students ‘personalities and skills.

Me personally, “I’m going to look at who the person is rather than marks.”

I don’t believe that marks show how much somebody knows. I’ve seen students with highest marks who are incapable to deal with some practical tasks. On the other hand, there are students who don’t care about marks they get, they just want to finish their school as soon as possible and to start working. They don’t have bad marks because they are bad students but because they just don’t care about it and they want to move on as soon as possible. And they want to find jobs more quickly and start to get working experience.

Nevertheless, if you want to continue your education you must have good marks. It all depends on what you think in terms of a career. Better marks can help you to graduate from university and get a better job, though I believe that the person´s skills, and knowledge is extremely important too.

Balance marks with a subject you enjoy…

Brainstorming may still provide benefits and fun

This happened throughout a brainstorming activity in English conversation class.

The Essentials about the USA

The lesson objective was to generate some essential facts about the USA.

"What comes to your mind when you hear America or the USA?"

We came up with many good ideas sometimes even with a bit quirky ones...

The circled and crossed notes have been discussed in details.
Cast a quick glance at some of the most creative ideas.

HOLIDAY SEASON

I want to start with an apt quote by Dave Barry, an American writer, humor columnist  and author of Insane City:

“In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season; the Christians called it 'Christmas' and went to church; the Jews called it 'Hanukkah' and went to synagogue; the atheists went to parties and drank. People passing each other on the street would say 'Merry Christmas!' or 'Happy Hanukkah!' or (to the atheists) 'Look out for the wall!”

Christmas means different things to different people...It is a time for remembering, a time to share the goodness of your heart with others, for expressing with words and presents what someone means to you, the traditional Christmas Eve dinner, traditions, songs and parties.

However, what I personally value most is making time and being nice to each other during the busy holiday season. I wish our feelings of peace and happiness lasted all year round.

Merry Xmas, and may this new year 2015 bring you joy and laughter!

THE HOBBIT

A film we have recently seen...

The Battle of Five Armies is the final episode of Peter Jackson´s film series based on J.R.R. Tolkien´s work. Starring Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins again - What a surprise!

The film had been released in December and came to Czech cinemas on December 11^th.

It was a good reason for having a free Cinema Day and go to Cinema IMax at Flora.

The last journey to Middle-earth makes a lot of changes to the original story, although the Oscar winning filmmaker Jackson’s, adaptation of the final battle is worth seeing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVAgTiBrrDA

The official main trailer was published on 6th November 2014
https://www.facebook.com/TheHobbitMovie
http://www.thehobbit.com

The photo was taken by Sasa V.

DofE CLUB at EDUCAnet Praha

EDUCAnet Praha has been running the Duke of Edinburgh Award for a year. During this time the Duke of Edinburgh has given our students the chance to take pride in, and work towards a nationally and internationally recognised award.

We run a DofE CLUB twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday from 2p.m. to 4p.m.

A unique opportunity to join our DofE CLUB, set up your own goals and meet new friends, increase your self-reliance and self-confidence, develop your sense of responsibility to others, find new interests and opportunities, gain experience and develop skills (team skills, willingness to help, etc.), improve your school attendance and school results, get new relationships with peers for doing something positive and constructive in your free time and get ready for an EXPEDITION!