Group mobilities of school pupils

Participants: 4 pupils (10th CS/EI and 11th CV 1st foreign language German)
Teacher: Gabriela Ozoliņa

Within the Erasmus+ project "Personal mobility for learning purposes in Riga State German Grammar School in the academic year 2024/25", from 03.06.2025 to 07.06.2025 one 11th CS/EI and three 10th CS/EI students together with their teacher Gabriela Ozoliņa participated in educational and cultural activities in Bernoulli Gymnasium in Vienna, Austria.

Project objectives:

• To improve knowledge and skills in foreign languages;
• To develop social, cooperation and communication skills in an international environment;
• To learn about Austrian history, culture, education system and the daily life of host families in Vienna.

Throughout the week, the project participants joined the Viennese schoolgirls in teaching various subjects such as German and Latin, mathematics, physics, chemistry, etc. The girls also took part in a tour of the school premises, where they found out interesting facts about the school's history, layout and traditions, such as the fact that the school displays EU values and information about the capitals of its Member States in various places.

The project also provided an opportunity to develop German language skills. Although it was sometimes difficult to understand the Austrian accent, words and expressions specific to Austria were learnt.

The Austrian culture included a visit to the Art History Museum with its impressive collection, Prater Park and the Austrian Parliament building, where a knowledgeable guide explored the history and political system of Austria, comparing it with Latvia. Other important sights, such as St. Peter's Cathedral, the Austrian Museum and the Austrian Museum of the History of Vienna, were also explored through interactive urban activities prepared by Viennese schoolchildren. The city also hosted other highlights of the city, such as St. Stephen's Cathedral and the Mozart Monument.

The girls had a really cordial interaction with the Viennese students and their parents. The participants were able to get to know the daily life of the families and took part in various joint activities.

Benefits:

• Improved German language skills and the opportunity to put them into practice in everyday communication;
• Broadened horizons by learning about Austria, its culture, history and education system in different ways;
• Made friends in Vienna with whom we will keep in touch in the future.

See more here: Presentation, Photos

Participants: 8 students (student council)
Teachers: Evelīna Sirmā and Uģis Urtāns

Objectives:

• To improve foreign language skills, develop communication, social and cooperation skills;
• To promote cooperation between the student councils of the two partner organisations;
• To gain intercultural experience by exploring Vlotho and the surrounding area.

Within the Erasmus+ project "Personal mobility for learning purposes at the Riga State German Grammas School in the school year 2024/25", from 28 April to 1 May, 8 members of the student council participated in learning activities and improved their foreign language skills and developed their communication skills at the Weser-Gymnasium Vlotho.

During the week, students went to classrooms to see the teaching process and the modern technology used. Not only did the students have the opportunity to take part in lessons on subjects such as physics, mathematics, chemistry and biology, which they are studying themselves, but also philosophy, which was taught in English, allowing our students to engage more fully in the discussions.

Together with the young people from the Weser-Gymnasium, the project participants took part in activities, brainstormed solutions to fight bullying and imagined what Europe would look like in 2040.

There was also the opportunity to explore the surrounding area by going to Hameln and learning about the legend of the stabler, as well as exploring Münster through an exciting game where mixed Latvian-German teams had to complete tasks while learning about the city's history.

Benefits:

• Improved foreign language skills, communication and cooperation skills;
• New ideas for the student council on how to improve everyday life at school;
• New German friends made.

See more here: Presentation, Photos

Participants: 23 pupils (15 8th grade 1st foreign language English; 8 - 11th grade 1st foreign language English)
Teachers: Anna Zirdziņa, Santa Jansone, Māris Zvaigzne

Within the project "Personal mobility for learning purposes at the Riga State German Grammar School in the school year 2024/25", 8th and 11th grade students from 29.03. - 02.04.2025 improved their foreign language skills in Xanten, Germany.

The aim of the project was to:

• To provide a diverse and inclusive educational experience in a multicultural environment, promoting the development of students' communication and social skills in a foreign language, and deepening their understanding of human rights, equality and freedom.

The project encouraged respect, empathy and mutual understanding between people of different cultures.

The project gave our students the opportunity to gain valuable experience at the Xanten Gymnasium, where they participated in lessons and joint project activities with their German peers.

The pupils took part in a variety of activities that promoted both intercultural understanding and learning experiences in an international environment. At the beginning of the programme, students were guided through Xanten, learning about its historical sites and urban environment. They also visited Xanten Cathedral, where they learned more about the history and architecture of the city. Later, the pupils toured the Xanten Gymnasium and took part in lessons comparing the learning process in Germany and Latvia.

Group work also played an important role in the project, encouraging cooperation and mutual support. The cooking of traditional German food in the school's training kitchen was particularly enthusiastic, giving pupils a hands-on experience of German culture and strengthening relationships.

During the project, students went on several educational excursions. A visit to the Wereldmuseum in Amsterdam broadened their knowledge of the diversity of world cultures. At the Xanten Archaeological Park, students gained insights into the region's ancient history. The project ended with a visit to Cologne, where the Cologne Cathedral was one of the main attractions.

Finally, students presented their project work on freedom, human rights and equality, demonstrating the knowledge and skills they had acquired.

Benefits:

The project gave the students the opportunity not only to make new friends and gain valuable experience, but also to improve their language skills in German and English. It was an important step in their personal and academic development, giving them satisfaction and inspiration for further development.

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Participants: 15 students in grades 10 and 11 with English as their 1st foreign language.
Teachers: Dace Zunda, Inguna Serda

In the framework of the project "Personal mobility for learning purposes at the Riga State German Grammar School in the school year 2024/25", 10th and 11th grade students improved their foreign language skills in Hannover, Germany from 16 - 20.03.2025.

The aim of the project was:

• improve English language skills, develop communication and social competences in a multicultural environment;
• to gain intercultural experience by working in groups with young people from different countries.

Every day, 15 students from RVVĢ participated in learning activities at the partner organisation Tellkampfschule Hannover together with students from Spain, Sweden, Poland, the Netherlands, France and Germany, exploring topics such as art, sport, dance, politics, architecture, history, science, life in the European Union, developing communication and social skills, gaining intercultural experience and exploring possible future career opportunities. Students worked in mixed groups, researching their chosen topic and making presentations for the final evening.

The week ended with a "European Evening" where each project member country gave a performance. The RVVĢ young people danced the folk dance "Pankūkas" and taught it to young people from other countries, as well as preparing a game about Latvia on the Kahoot platform. The results of the groups' work were also presented.

While staying with host families, the participants had the opportunity to get to know the daily life and cultural traditions of a German family, as well as to visit the sights of Hannover. The difference in eating habits was also a big surprise for the students.

The participants also went on a study trip to Wolfsburg and the Phaeno Science Centre, where they had the opportunity to carry out various physics, biology and mathematics experiments on their own.

Each young person is very pleased to have had the opportunity to take part in the Erasmus+ mobility project activities, as they have gained valuable experience and there are many benefits.

Benefits:

• Enhanced English language skills;
• Strengthened communication skills;
• Improved cooperation skills in a multicultural environment;
• Ability to step outside one's comfort zone;
• Made new friends and contacts.

See more here: Presentation, Photos