The Importance of International Projects for the Developement of Students and for the Teachers’ Training

Introduction of Polish school and students. Big Junior High school situated in rural area – students coming to school from distanced households Students aged between 13 and 16 – a difficult age for teenagers Students coming fom ordinary, not well-educated or supportive families, often unemployed Low level of self-confidence deriving from students’ origin and style of life. No practical experience of participation in European community.

Attitude of Students Towards Learning Launguages Students are very often not motivated at all: No support from families in this field Lack of oppportunity to use English launguge in practise Lack of recognition of launguage learning importnace Poor economical conditions - no chance to learn launguages at extra lessons

Working on Comenius project Taking part in interesting activities Discovering new cultures Visiting peers abroad Using English in life situations Developings students’ talents Learning new skills

Impact of Comenius project on Students Stronger motivation for learning launguages Higher self-esteem thanks to succesfully done project tasks Developing personality thanks to new skills Increasing knowledge of life conditions in some European countries Feeling of belonging to an international family Making new friends from abroad

Impact of Project on Students A will to develop their talents further Understanting value of teamwork Discovering the necessity of being active at school and other places of local interests Understanding the importance of attendance in local community life in order to create and change it

Concerns Too few teachers to coplete the work on the project Too few students to join Comenius team Too little time to be successful Lack of experience in UE projects Lack of support of local community Difficult way of communication (by means of Internet) Far distance journeys abroad with pupils - responsibility Too few advantages coming from participation in project Doubts of Polish teachers connected to joining Comenius project

Expectations and hopes of Polish teachers connected to work on Comenius project Expectations Getting new experiences Developing new professional skills Increasing attractiveness of school Visiting new places Meeting techers from all around Europe

The influence of Comenius project on teachers Getting interested in UE projects Application to Individual Mobilities Application to new Erasmus Plus project with 7 other partners Discovering talented students and supporting their developement Gaining new skills Using English language in life situations The experience of working with teachers from foreign countries Understanding the importance of European unity and diversity thanks to Comenius visits

LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS LACK OF SUPPORT FROM LOCAL COMMUNITY AND GOVERNMENT DIFFICULTIES IN COMMUNICATION IN FOREIGN LANGUAGES EXPERIENCE IN EUROPEAN PROJECTS – KNOWLEDGE OF PROCEDURES AND DEMANDS DEVELOPEMENT OF SCHOOL IN THE AREA OF COOPERATION WITH EUROPEAN PARTNERS IMPROVEMENT IN LANGUAGE SKILLS WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS, STIMULUS TO JOIN NEW IDEAS

SUMMARY Taking part in Comenius project was really useful and rich experience which made teachers and students feel their importance in international family. Participation in meetings abroad and the need of cooperation with foreign partners brought lots of advantages and changes and it became the beginning of new „European” era for Polish school.