Last month, two experienced teachers from Järvamaa KHK went to teach at BBS II Stade Vocational School in Germany. This JKHK's first study visit within the Erasmus+ activity "teaching abroad" was planned for the spring of 2020, but was canceled at that time due to the pandemic.
The English language teacher Ene Pener and a vocational teacher in the field of logistics Eveli Laurson prepared a number of educational materials in advance for the study visit, which were used to teach students studying in various courses at the German vocational school BBS II Stade. Our school's teachers shared their knowledge not only with German students, but also with teachers in their field, with whom Ene and Eveli could conduct their lessons. In addition to teaching, there was also the opportunity to learn something new from a foreign school - for example, Eveli saw how they prepared for the freight forwarder/transport organizer-logistician's exam in Germany, which gave her inspiration and ideas on how to apply the best practices learned in her home country.
During the study visit, there was an intensive exchange of teaching methodology and best practices between teachers - Ene and Eveli learned a lot from German teachers and the same happened vice versa. Both Ene and Eveli, as well as the students and teachers of the German Vocational School, were very satisfied with the experience - everyone could test themselves and experience something new. The BBS II Stade teachers were delighted with the teaching materials put together by our teachers and used in the lessons and the methodology they used (especially the use of digital tools in teaching). The students were especially ecstatic that they could use their mobile phones and computers in class, which made learning more interactive and exciting. To the surprise of teachers Ene and Eveli, the discipline at BBS II Stade school was amazing - students raise their hands in class! The teachers of the Stade school were very supportive during the entire learning mobility process, interested in cooperation and motivated to exchange experiences, which contributed to the successful and positive implementation of the teaching assignment.
The teachers' study visit began and ended with positive experiences. By the end of the teaching assignment, the teachers of both schools learned a lot from each other and plan to adopt the best practices. The experience was certainly great in terms of self-development, because teaching in a foreign country is a great challenge not only in terms of language, but in a short time you have to make contact with students and teachers from another country and cultural background, and you also have to be ready for all kinds of technical setbacks. Teaching in a foreign country in a multicultural environment, communicating with foreign students and teachers increased self-confidence and competences, which no other school in Estonia could offer today.
M.A. Pukk
M. Mölter
