Pedagogical Innovation – ‘I CAN, YOU CAN – LET’S DO IT TOGETHER’
Location: Primary School No. 2, named after General Stanisław Maczek in Jaworze
Motto: You know more English than you think – speak, write – don’t be afraid!
Subject: English language
Implementation date: School year 2024/2025
1. INNOVATION OBJECTIVES:
In today’s world, knowledge of foreign languages has become the key to functioning in a united Europe and globally. English is a global and official language, and fluency in it opens many opportunities for young people. It is present everywhere – on TV, in the press, on the streets, when you go abroad. By introducing this innovation, we want learning English to be a pleasure and fun for students, not just a subject to study. Through planned activities, students will have the opportunity to establish contacts with students from partner schools with whom we have collaborated for years, including schools in Hungary, Portugal, India, and Peru. The organized activities will encourage students to learn English and expand their knowledge, not only to communicate effectively but also to learn about the countries, cultures, traditions, and educational systems of the countries mentioned above. Students will have the chance to improve primarily their speaking and writing skills, present their passions and abilities, and develop their digital skills using multimedia applications such as Canva. The language skills and knowledge gained will certainly be useful in the future, including external exams, during travels with parents, or when hosting international guests in Poland.
2. TARGET GROUP AND IMPLEMENTATION:
Students from grades 1-8 (during regular English lessons, as part of English classes, extracurricular activities and preparing posters, letters, greetings, and wishes at home).
3. INNOVATION GOALS AND ASSUMPTIONS:
• Inspiring and deepening knowledge and passion related to the English language;
• Developing language competencies;
• Promoting tolerance and openness to foreign cultural patterns;
• Applying theoretical knowledge in practical daily life situations, fostering teamwork, tolerance among participants, and mutual assistance in learning;
• Building students’ self-esteem and confidence in their abilities;
• Developing teamwork skills;
• Utilizing multimedia tools;
• Motivating students to engage with English outside the school context;
• Demonstrating the versatility of English in everyday life.
4. METHODS AND WORK TECHNIQUES:
The classes will include various forms and techniques of work:
• Individual work, pair work, group presentations;
• Using different sources of information, including authentic ones;
• Simulating typical communication situations;
• Interactive exercises in the computer lab;
• Creating albums, posters, multimedia presentations;
• Other ideas based on students’ interests.
5. ACTIVITIES:
1. Celebrating Dot Day – Creativity Day – creating a poster about interests and skills – 4th grade – oral presentations (September 2024).
2. Celebrating European Day of Languages – English classes with a group of students from Hungary at school (September 2024).
3. Celebrating Letter Writing Day – sending letters in English to schools abroad (October 2024).
4. Celebrating World Hello Day – sending greetings to partner schools abroad (November 2024).
5. Online language lessons with a school in India – at least once per semester.
6. Online language lessons with a school in Portugal – at least once per semester.
7. Sharing ideas for celebrating St. Andrew’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day with teachers from partner schools in Hungary, Portugal, India, and Peru.
8. Sending winter/Christmas and spring/Easter greetings.
9. Creating short reports on the school website about the implemented activities (prepared by the teacher and willing students).
6. EXPECTED OUTCOMES:
For the school:
• Enriching the school’s educational offer;
• Making lessons more attractive;
• Building a positive image of the school as an institution that cares about the linguistic development of its students;
• Improving academic performance in foreign languages.
For the students:
• The opportunity to pursue their passions;
• Linguistic development and knowledge of other cultures;
• Creating their own texts, posters, presentations;
• Developing skills in searching for information from various sources;
• Expanding their interests.
Reports on the innovation will be prepared at the end of the first and second semester. The activities will be presented on school notice boards, and at least two articles will be written for the local newspaper “Echo Jaworza.”