From the 6th to the 13th November 2010, the five partner countries (Austria, Germany, Iceland, Italy and Portugal with its Comenius Assistant from Norway) of the Comenius project, Different Languages – Same Speech, attended the first meeting in Kohfidisch, Austria, at Hauptschule Kohfidisch.
The main aim of this project meeting was to prepare all the activities for the next six months keeping in mind the students’ exchange that is going to take place in Italy, in May 2011.
At this meeting we had the opportunity to bridge five countries by learning about different cultures, habits, traditions, life styles and school systems, which gave us the chance to get to know each other better.
During our stay in Kohfidisch we prepared project tools, such as worksheets, teachers and students’ evaluation sheets, and plans for the first students’ exchange. On this occasion we were taught how to use the platform “Bildungsserver Burgenland”. Students are going to record audio files in their own language. These audio files will be uploaded by the teachers in order to be used by all the others to improve listening, reading and ICT skills.
In Italy the students are going to show their progress in foreign language learning: introducing themselves by using phrases and expressions in the different partnership languages; presenting their countries and educational systems. Teachers are going to compare the results of the students’ activities evaluation during the first year of the project. They will also arrange the next project meeting in Iceland.
The host school arranged excursions to Vienna, South Burgenland and West Hungary. Teachers learned a lot about the region and were given the chance to get to know its traditions (wine baptism, Saint Martin’s festival, folk music, typical dishes).
The local authorities (Mr. Hans Niessl, the Head of the Burgenland Government; Mr. Norbert Sulyok, Deputy of the Burgenland Government and Mayor of Kohfidisch; Mrs. Doris Prohaska, Deputy of the Burgenland Government) supported the host partner in the organization of the project meeting.
All the partners were glad to attend this project meeting and would like to thank the Austrian partner and all the institutions for their hospitality as well as their cooperation and support for this Comenius Project.
Teachers are also very thankful to all the National Agencies who gave us the opportunity to participate in this project.
