Group mobilities of school pupils

Participants:

• 2 students: Agija Guščina and Elza Mincenhofa (grade 11 ES, 3rd foreign language - Spanish)
• Teacher: Francisco Núñez Romero Olmo

Within the Erasmus+ project "Person mobility for learning purposes at the Riga State German Grammar School in the school year 2024/25", two 11th grade students improved their foreign language skills at the IES Antonio María Calero Secondary School in Pozoblanco, Spain, from 10 to 17 February.

Project objectives:

• To improve Spanish language skills and communication abilities in an authentic environment.
• To learn about the Spanish education system through lessons with local students.
• To gain intercultural experience by living with host families and participating in everyday life.
• Discover Spanish culture, history and architecture through excursions.

The mobility process

On arrival in Pozoblanco, the students were welcomed by their host families, who became an important part of their experience in Spain. The very next day they went to IES Antonio María Calero, where they were welcomed by both students and teachers. The students' timetable included lessons in philosophy, Latin, English, economics and history. The English lesson was particularly important, as they introduced the Spanish students to Latvia, its culture and education system.

To better understand the Spanish education system, the pupils met with the vice-principal and the Erasmus+ coordinator, who gave them an insight into the specificities of the local school system. They noticed significant differences compared to Latvia, such as a stricter ban on mobile phones in lessons and different student-teacher dynamics.

In addition to learning, the students also learned about Spanish culture and history. They tasted chocolate con churros, a traditional breakfast in Spain, and went on a tour of Pozoblanco, where they saw a bullfighting arena, churches and historical buildings such as the Casa de la Viga.

To further understand Spain's historical and architectural heritage, the pupils went on excursions to two important cities - Granada and Córdoba. In Granada, they explored the Albaycín neighbourhood, famous for its whitewashed buildings and narrow streets, and enjoyed the magnificent view from Saint Nicolás. In Córdoba, the students visited the Mosque-Cathedral (Mezquita-Catedral), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and walked through the historic streets of the Jewish Quarter.

At the end of the mobility, the students also took part in various cultural activities, including a visit to the El Silo theatre and the local library. On the last day of school, they were presented with their participation certificates and concluded with a farewell event with Spanish students and teachers.

They spent the holidays with their host families, learning about everyday life and traditions in Spain. This experience allowed them to practise their Spanish in an informal setting and to gain new perspectives on the rhythm of Spanish life and cultural values.

At the end of the mobility, the students said goodbye to their host families and their new friends to go back to Latvia. This experience not only improved their language skills, but also broadened their horizons, fostered intercultural understanding and provided unforgettable memories of Spanish life and culture.

See more here: Presentation, Video, Photos

Participants: 20 students (8th grade, 1st foreign language German)
Teachers: Gabriela Ozoliņa, Santa Jansone, Kārlis Kūriņš

Within the project "Personal mobility for learning purposes at Riga State German Grammar School in the school year 2023/24", 8th grade students from 22 - 25.04.2024 improved their foreign language skills in Berlin, Germany.

The aim of the project was

• improve foreign language skills, develop communication and social competences in a multicultural environment;
• to gain intercultural experience by learning about Berlin and its history;
• to create digital content on different aspects of culture, history and sights.

At the Berlin Lesing Gymnasium, the students were warmly welcomed with a song by the 5th grade students.

During the project, the pupils attended lessons, explored Berlin's landmarks and sights such as the Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Wall, learned about German traditions and different cultures, and put their German language skills into practice.

Participants got to know the school and its surroundings - the Wedding district - through an orienteering game. The pupils took part in a masterclass "Berlin der kleinen Leute", through which they learned more about the history of the city. The results can be found on Padlet (https://padlet.com/viola_aurich/das-berlin-der-kleinen-leute-qx1edeudoj10ywdm).

The pupils got to know their exchange families at a joint dinner, which strengthened the contacts made during the project. The pupils appreciated their ability to get used to a different timeline, language and environment. The excursion to the Berlin Zoo, where they took photos and pictures of the different animals, was undoubtedly a wonderful experience for the 8th graders. They found it fun, educational and interesting.

At the end of the project, the students interviewed their exchange students about the pros and cons of living in Berlin and what they would recommend to see while they are there. The interviews can be seen here: (https://padlet.com/viola_aurich/riga-in-berlin-typisch-berlin-d53p7eczckzfq38n). This was followed by a pizza evening where the students discussed the benefits and evaluated the project before going home.

Benefits: German language skills improved, new friends and intercultural experiences made, different aspects of Berlin's history, culture and sights explored.

Conclusion: It is always useful to know different languages, because sometimes knowing one language is not enough.

See more here: Presentation, Photos

Participants: 12 students (8th grade, 1st foreign language English)
Teachers: Elīna Beča, Māris Apsītis

Within the project "Mobility of Persons for Educational Purposes at the Riga State German Grammar School in the 2023/24 school year", 8th grade students improved their foreign language skills in Xanten, Germany from 15 - 19.04.2024.

The aim of the project is to provide a varied educational experience in a multicultural environment, to develop communication and social skills, to improve knowledge and practical skills related to sustainability, nature conservation and the development of a balanced society, as well as to raise awareness of intercultural communication.

Together with students from Germany, our grammar school students gained valuable experience at the Xanten City Gymnasium, where they participated in lessons and project activities.

On the first day of the project, after the lessons, the students had the opportunity to cook German traditional dishes together for lunch in the Gymnasium's kitchen and then take part in an orienteering game around the city. The students also visited the Archaeological Museum of Xanten, where they learned about the cultural heritage of the city.

As part of the excursion, students visited the European Parliament, where they had the opportunity to see the EP Chamber and use interactive tools to get an insight into how the European Parliament works. They then visited the European Parliament's Visitors' Centre "Parlamentarium", Europe's largest centre dedicated to parliamentary activities, where they learned about the history of the European Union and its policies, sustainability objectives and carbon reduction in a multimedia environment.

The students also travelled to Cologne, where they visited the Cologne Cathedral and tested their endurance by climbing 533 steps to the top of the 97-metre-high cathedral.

At the end of the week, both groups of students presented their project work, where they reflected on current pollution issues, analysed the project's previous work on sustainability and nature protection, applied their practical skills and produced information materials - a poster (Part 1, Part 2 un Part 3) and a video (Part 1 and Part 2) on the impact of plastic pollution on nature.

The project gave the students the opportunity to make new friends, improve their knowledge of both German and English and give them a rewarding experience.

See more here: Presentation, Photo presentation

Participants: 2 students - Anna Pumpuriņa and Emīlija Stāmere (CV 11, 3rd foreign language Spanish)
Teacher: Francisco Núñez Romero Olmo

Within the Erasmus+ project "Learning Mobility of Persons in the Riga State German Grammar School in the 2023/24 school year", 2 students participated in learning activities and improved their Spanish language skills at IES Antonio María Calero from 13 - 18 February 2024.

The aim of the project was

• to improve their Spanish language skills;
• to get to know the Spanish education system;
• participate in lessons with other students;
• experience everyday life in rural and urban Spain;
• discover Spanish culture and history.

During the project, the students visited the IES Antonio María Calero and took part in lessons in psychology, economics, sports, biology and Andalusian cultural heritage. They gained valuable intercultural experience and learned about the culture and values of the Spanish people. They went on excursions and information trips to towns such as Villanueva de Córdoba, Pozoblanco, Córdoba and the agricultural cooperative "COVAP". In Córdoba, the girls enjoyed the beauty of the city and explored its history by visiting the "Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba".

The girls spent time with their host families every day and visited different cities with their host families over the weekend. Ana had the opportunity to stay in Zufre and spend days in Sevilla and Aracena, visiting an animal reserve, the Plaza de España and the Gruta de las Maravillas beer system. Emilia and her host family spent a weekend in Granada, where they could enjoy the local architecture, visit the famous "La Alhambra", various museums and cathedrals. The mobility was a great opportunity to make new friends, to continue communicating in Spanish and to improve their Spanish language skills.

In March, Anna and Emilia welcomed their host families. The Spanish pupils attended classes in our gymnasium and got to know Latvian culture and traditions.

See more here: Presentation