OUR FIRST LIVE MEETING IN ICELAND, SEPTEMBER 2022
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Our first face-to-face meeting in Iceland took place in September 2022.
We headed off from Katowice, Warszawa, Wroclaw, and Opole to meet at Keflavík Airport just after midnight on 14.09.2022. The next day our journey to Ólafsfjörður started in three groups. Although we experienced some unexpected adventures on the way (our car had to be towed away!), we all safely arrived at our destination. The long journey along the narrow coastal road was full of scenic and breathtaking views. We were rewarded with a spectacle of the Northern Lights at our destination and were so excited that we could barely sleep at night. |
The first day of our international cooperation began with a short tour around the Menntaskólinn á Tröllaskaga (MTR) school. We met some on-site students and teachers. We were all impressed by the artwork displayed around the school and classroom equipment. The school’s motto is Innovation – Creativity – Courage. These can be seen, for example, in unusual subjects taught at MTR, like Travelling Geography or Heavy Metal and Mythology. The teachers are innovative and creative. They have the courage to follow new paths.
During the workshops, our Icelandic partners were informed about the educational system in Poland, the national curriculum for teaching foreign languages and the detailed aims and ideas of the project. We discussed the similarities and differences of both teaching systems. A short workshop connected with specific themes helped us understand and determine the main topic areas to work on.
Day two started with a short visit to the nearby primary school. During numerous presentations, the Polish team was informed about innovative teaching tools and methods, online applications, as well as means of assessment used by our Icelandic partners.
That was an intensive time, as later, we started working on particular modules in groups. We chose two themes to begin with: Food and Culture. After a brainstorming session, we devised the first two module drafts, and further work on them will be continued in a hybrid mode.
Apart from working hard, we also had an opportunity to taste the local food and participate in one of the most important annual events connected with sheep-herding. We were happy to help the local community with safe sheep-gathering. We were even featured in the local news!
Iceland is a beautiful island, with much to offer in terms of tourism. We were lucky to experience the geothermal SPA, see the turf village, admire waterfalls, and explore one of the longest glaciers - Langjökull. Our trip ended with a short walk around Reykjavik.
The first visit was a real eye-opener, and we learned a lot. We are looking forward to our next meeting, in Katowice in 2023!
During the workshops, our Icelandic partners were informed about the educational system in Poland, the national curriculum for teaching foreign languages and the detailed aims and ideas of the project. We discussed the similarities and differences of both teaching systems. A short workshop connected with specific themes helped us understand and determine the main topic areas to work on.
Day two started with a short visit to the nearby primary school. During numerous presentations, the Polish team was informed about innovative teaching tools and methods, online applications, as well as means of assessment used by our Icelandic partners.
That was an intensive time, as later, we started working on particular modules in groups. We chose two themes to begin with: Food and Culture. After a brainstorming session, we devised the first two module drafts, and further work on them will be continued in a hybrid mode.
Apart from working hard, we also had an opportunity to taste the local food and participate in one of the most important annual events connected with sheep-herding. We were happy to help the local community with safe sheep-gathering. We were even featured in the local news!
Iceland is a beautiful island, with much to offer in terms of tourism. We were lucky to experience the geothermal SPA, see the turf village, admire waterfalls, and explore one of the longest glaciers - Langjökull. Our trip ended with a short walk around Reykjavik.
The first visit was a real eye-opener, and we learned a lot. We are looking forward to our next meeting, in Katowice in 2023!
