Lithuania: Readiness Survey for Erasmus+ KA2 Strategic Partnerships for Schools Project “Multicultural Communication: Breaking Stereotypes” March,2017

The aim of this statistical research: to check what we know about our partners; to gather preliminary information that will help define issue and suggest further steps on project proceedings Method: matching Results: data showed that only between 25 and 86 percent of students know much about other countries. Conclusion: There’s no association between how much time is spent on a subject (Geography, History, English) in a given year and how well students perform, it is a matter of students motivation—or lack of motivation, personal interest, even family background. Eighth- graders still continue to display far-from-sufficient knowledge about European countries while a third of fifth –graders have got good knowledge

RESULTS Number of students who participated in the survey -213 ( 63 %) 5th graders, aged 11 – 48 students (39 %) 6th graders, aged 12 – 50 students (45 %) 7th graders, aged 13 - 115 students (86%)

RESULTS Just 25 % of our students know how say “Hello” in Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, S pain and Turkey. They matched correct greetings to listed above countries. Just for fun: According to some our respondents in Spain they say “Merhaba”; in Turkey –“Zdrasti”; in Portugal - “Bana”; in Greece –“Czesc”; in Romania- “Gia”. 100 % of respondents know pizza as an Italian dish and kebap as Turkish traditional dish. According to the results, a clear majority of respondents— 69%—reported that paella is Spanish dish. Sarmale cu mamaliguta, cozido and yahniya of beef were so exotic names of food that our students could not match them to one county - the marked these dishes as traditional dishes of all Project partner countries.

i RESULTS It was quite difficult for our students to decide what sport and games are famous or popular in each country . The majority of respondents – over 50% - are sure that the most popular sport in Greece is marathon; in Portugal - soccer; in Spain- gymnastic. 85% of respondents matched famous people to correct country. The list follows: No 1 Leonel Messi No 2 Sophia Loren No 3 Great Alexander No 4 Vasco da Gama No 5 Lech Walesa No 6 Ataturk No 7 Nina Dobrev No 8 Nadia Comanec

Matching the countries to their flags 5th graders – 32 students (67%) 6th graders – 45 students (90%) 7th graders – 109 students (94%)

Matching capital cities to countries 5th graders- 39 students (81%) 6th graders- 46 students (96%) 7th graders- 112 students (97%)

Find the partner country on the map 5th graders- 39 students (81%) 6th graders- 48 students (96%) 7th graders- 114 students (99%)

How do they say “HELLO”? 5th graders- 19 students (39%)

What are their traditional dishes? 5th graders- 17 students (35%) 6th graders- 31 student (62%) 7th graders- 87 students (76%)

What are their famous sports or games? 5th graders- 12 students (25%) 6th graders- 19 students (38%) 7th graders- 71 student (61%)

Where are these famous people from? 5th graders- 21student (43%) 6th graders- 38 students (76%) 7th graders- 99 students (86%)

Suggestions …to create learning activities that encourage students to participate in cross- cultural learning through suggested Project activities as well as through integrated lessons and Internet based multicultural communication –online communication / discussion forums among Project partner countries‘ students. Students will be able to communicate on a range of topics from local culture, history to daily routine.