Student group mobilities

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

Participants: 17 students in Year 10 with English as 1st language
Teachers: Dace Zunda and Inguna Serda

Within the Erasmus+ project "Learning mobility of individuals in the Riga State German Grammar School in the school year 2023/24", 17 students improved their foreign language skills in a partner organisation in Germany (Tellkampfschule Hannover) from 10 to 15 February.

The aim of the project was

• to provide educational opportunities in a multicultural environment;
• develop communication and social skills;
• to learn about intercultural communication.

Together with students from Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Poland, France and two groups from Spain, our students took part in 10 workshops on art, theatre, sport, dance, politics, architecture, history, science, and discussed young people's lives and daily life in the European Union. One group documented the week and made a video, while another group discussed the pros and cons of living, studying and working in another country. In the art workshop, artworks were created and one group focused on water and its scarcity in different countries. Musical young people had the opportunity to work in a music workshop, forming a band and playing 3 popular songs in their own arrangement, while in another workshop they choreographed a dance. An architecture workshop went to explore Hanover and forgotten buildings or places that should be revived and found out how they are used now. The young people also had the opportunity to learn about sports and work together in teams. At the end of the project, the results of the work were presented.

Living with host families, the students had the opportunity to get to know family life in Germany, visit the sights and museums of Hannover, and experience the carnival throughout the week. They also went on a study tour to Wolfsburg and the Phaeno Science Centre.

Teachers Dace Zunda and Inguna Serda also gained valuable experience by participating in activities and excursions with the pupils and learning about the school system in Germany.

The pupils said that the project had been a very valuable experience, making new friends, getting to know another culture and improving their communication skills.

Their opinion is unequivocal:

"The project helped us to get to know Germany better and to get an idea of the learning process at the partner school, to use English and German in real-life situations, to get out of our comfort zone, and we gained good experience of working in groups with young people from other countries. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to take part in this kind of project!"

See more here: Presentation