Student Iryna Lobko won a scholarship from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) to study at an international language intensive course that lasted from August 3 to 26 in Münster (Germany). The master’s student-translator of the Faculty of Philology, Psychology and Pedagogy of the National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic” became an active participant of the International University Summer School of German Language and Culture (Internationaler Hochschulsommerkurs für deutsche Sprache und Kultur), organized by the WiPDaF language school in cooperation with the Westphalian Wilhelm University of Münster (Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster), which is one of the largest universities in Germany. The project participant improved her own language skills, successfully passed the B2 German language proficiency test and received the corresponding international certificate.
Within the framework of the International University Summer School of German Language and Culture, the participants held classes in small groups divided by the level of German language proficiency (from A1 to C1). It is worth noting the fact that in order to receive a scholarship for taking the course, the participants had to confirm the level of language proficiency that corresponds to at least level B1 according to the global scale of the All-European recommendations for language education.
In order to achieve the maximum educational effect, participants from different parts of the world were divided into small groups according to the level of language proficiency, and the training sessions were structured in such a way that students could improve their own language competences. Educational interaction included stages of group work, creating presentations, role-playing games, conducting interviews and other educational methods aimed at improving communicative language skills. After successful completion of the course, participants received 5 ECTS credits.
In general, the language intensive course consisted of 90 academic hours of classes, a rich cultural program and educational activities aimed at a deeper study of German culture and other cultures of the world, including sightseeing tours in the Münster museum, visits to local cultural events on the occasion of the City Day, art festivals, sports tournaments, movies. Thus, during the project, each participant actively established an intercultural dialogue, learned a lot about the cultural, historical and social realities of Germany, got acquainted with its literary and artistic heritage.
“I strongly believe that international summer schools are one of the best opportunities to learn a language and get to know the culture of European countries. During the month spent in picturesque Münster, I was able to increase my German language skills to a confident B2 level, especially improving my speaking skills. I visited a lot of interesting places as part of the excursion program and in my free time. For example, we went on excursions in Cologne, learned about the history of the Ruhr industrial area during a trip to the German Mining Museum (Bochum) and the gasometer exhibition center (Oberghausen), visited Nordkirchen Castle and Fischering Castle, as well as even visited an aviary reserve.
One of the most vivid memories for me is the international buffet, during which the participants had the opportunity to get acquainted with the national dishes of different countries of the world and present their own cuisine. I worked in a group with another girl from Ukraine as well as representatives of Latvia, Romania and Indonesia, who decided to join us and present Ukrainian dishes together. I advise all students studying German to actively participate in similar international courses to gain unforgettable experiences and deep knowledge. I am sincerely grateful to the university for creating comfortable conditions for learning, active acquaintance of the European language space, personal and professional growth,” – commented project participant, master’s student at the Faculty of Philology, Psychology and Pedagogy of the Poltava Polytechnic Iryna Lobko.
Previously, a master’s student at the Faculty of Philology, Psychology and Pedagogy studied at NAWA’s Summer School of Polish Language and Culture, a translation student became a facilitator of a youth exchange dedicated to the fight against hate and bullying, six polytechnic students became participants in NAWA’s SPINAKER Polish scholarship program, and professor philologist took part in the international project of modern methods of learning the German language.
It should be recalled that students are invited to internships at Canadian universities under the Mitacs Globalink Research Internship program, and registration for the largest conference of student startups is underway.
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National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic”
