Η συνεργασία έγινε με το Λύκειο από την Κροατία, όπως και την προηγούμενη χρονιά, αλλά και με νέα Λύκεια από την Λετονία, την Βραζιλία και την Χιλή!

Η συνεργασία με παιδιά από τις 2 χώρες της Λατινικής Αμερικής, οδήγησε στον τίτλο του έργου «From Europe to Latin America«!

Στο έργο συμμετείχαν με επιτυχία 12 μαθητές του σχολείου μας και κατά την διάρκεια 5 μηνών συνομίλησαν με συνομηλίκους τους για μια πληθώρα θεμάτων, όπως είναι τα ακόλουθα: Χόμπι και ασχολίες ελεύθερου χρόνου, χώρες – ήθη – έθιμα, φαγητό και μουσική, σχολείο και εκπαιδευτικά συστήματα, εθνικές εορτές και παραδόσεις, φύση και περιβάλλον.

Με βάση όλα τα παραπάνω, συνεργάστηκαν διαδικτυακά με τα μέλη της ομάδας τους και παρήγαγαν μια πληθώρα ψηφιακών έργων.

Ακόμα, συναντήθηκαν από κοντά με τους φίλους από Κροατία, χάρη στο πρόγραμμα Erasmus+ «Empowered in Thouria» που «έτρεχε» ταυτόχρονα στο σχολείο μας. Πέντε μαθητές από την Κροατία μας επισκέφτηκαν τον Φεβρουάριο και έζησαν από κοντά τα έθιμα του Καρναβαλιού και της Τσικνοπέμπτης, επισκέφτηκαν την Αρχαία Θουρία και έπαιξαν «κυνήγι θησαυρού» εξερευνώντας την Καλαμάτα.

Στην συνέχεια, 12 μαθητές από την Θουρία επισκέφτηκαν την πόλη Pozega της Κροατίας, ζώντας μια αξέχαστη πολιτισμική εμπειρία που θα μείνει αξέχαστη και κάνοντας φιλίες που κρατάνε ακόμα!

Η χρονιά έκλεισε αλλά έβαλε τις βάσεις για το επόμενο έργο eTwinning! 

Sofia is an EFL Teacher from Kalamata, Greece. She teaches in Secondary Education and in her free time she loves to travel around the world and meeting new people.

35 students from the aforementioned countries will participate in the project and English will of course be the working language, though the students will be encouraged to learn words from the native languages of the participants as well. The main aims of this project are the following:

1. Improved Language Skills: One of the primary outcomes could be improved language skills, particularly in English, as teenagers from these diverse countries communicate with each other in a shared language. Participants can develop better speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills.
2. Cultural Understanding: The project can foster cultural understanding and awareness among participants, especially considering that the teenagers come from 5 countries in 3 different continents. The long geographical distance between the 5 countries ensures a wide cultural diversity and the chance to talk with peers from a variety of cultural backgrounds. That way, the teenagers will learn about the customs, traditions, and ways of life in other countries, which can promote tolerance and empathy. At the same time, the teens will become more aware of their own personal, cultural and linguistic identity and will feel proud and open to share it with their chat pals.
3. Enhanced Digital Literacy: Through online communication tools and platforms, participants can develop digital literacy skills. This way, they will become more adept at using technology for communication and collaboration.
4. Global Perspective: Teenagers will gain a global perspective by interacting with peers from different parts of the world. This can broaden their horizons and encourage them to think more globally.
5. Friendships and Connections: Participants may form meaningful friendships and connections with peers from other countries. These connections can extend beyond the project’s duration and lead to ongoing communication and collaboration.
6. Project-Based Learning Skills: The project can encourage project-based learning, where participants plan, execute, and evaluate their activities. They’ll develop skills in teamwork, problem-solving, and project management.
7. Increased Motivation for Learning: Engaging in a project with real-world communication goals can increase teenagers” motivation for learning. They may be more eager to improve their language skills when they have a practical context for doing so.
8. Cultural Exchange: The project can include activities such as sharing traditional recipes, music, or stories from each country. This cultural exchange can be a creative way to showcase and celebrate the diversity of the participating countries.
9. Increased Confidence: As teenagers engage in cross-cultural communication, they can gain confidence in their ability to communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
10. Increased Interest in International Affairs: Some participants may become more interested in international affairs, travelling, diplomacy, or global issues as a result of their interactions in the project.
11. Impact on Teachers: The project can also have a positive impact on participating teachers, helping them develop their teaching strategies and expand their international networks.

So, good luck to all and LET THE CHATS BEGIN!