EFFECTIVE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN SCHOOLS GITANA MIZGERIENE VAIDA MAKARAITE KLAIPEDA

Types of projects: School (different grades, groups of students);

National/local 6 different Lithuanian schools. “United by different cultures” (with Gedminai main school, H.Zudermanas gymnasium, J.Kacinskas music school (5 years);

International (Comenius projects multilateral “F.I.V.E.” (9 countries, students aged 15-18) and bilateral “Shared Treasures” (students aged 12-14);

Long term Short term

WHY? 1. Higher motivation for learning and teaching. 2. Improvement of school image. 3. Cooperation between schools and people. 4. Better intercultural understanding.

Benefits for pupils 1.Greater interest in other local schools, European countries and their cultures; 2.Improvement of language skills; 3.Development of social and civic competences (communication, public speaking, debates, making presentations etc.); 4.Creative skills; 5.Computer skills; 6.Learning to learn.

Benefits for teachers 1.Better knowledge of other educational systems; 2.Improvement of teachers’ social and organisational competences; 3.Improvement of language skills, mainly in English; 4.Computer skills; 5.Professional development.

Benefits for school and its environment 1.Improvement of school image; 2.Improvement of the quality of teaching and learning at school; 3.Improvement of self-confidence and motivation among both staff and pupils; 4.Enhancing pupils’ and teachers’ intercultural awareness; 5.Supporting the delivery of foreign languages at school; 6.Strengthening school’s links with the local community.

Difficulties 1. Lack of students motivation. 2. Workload of students. 3. Language barrier for teachers. 4. Teachers’ attitude. 5. Integration of project activities in school’s curriculum.