Students of group Ang1-M24 of the Faculty of Foreign Philology, specialty 014 Secondary Education (Language and Foreign Literature (English) of Kamianets-Podilskyi Ivan Ohienko National University are taking part in the EU eTwinning program “Project-Based Learning with eTwinning & Erasmus+ for Interculturality”, conducted by the University of Stuttgart (Stuttgart, Germany). The course lasts from October 24, 2024 to February 6, 2025 and aims to develop the skills of project-based learning, intercultural communication, and cooperation of students from different countries.
This course is an important stage in the professional development of future educators, as it provides an opportunity to work in international teams, exchange experiences with participants from different cultures, and develop the skills necessary to implement educational projects in a global context. Students participating in the program get access to modern educational technologies and tools that contribute to their development as professionals. The course participants also actively share their impressions of working together in international teams, sharing experiences, and improving intercultural communication skills:
Veronika Ovcharuk: «When I heard about the eTwinning program, I realized it was a great opportunity I shouldn’t miss. This course truly broadens my perspective and helps me grow as a future teacher. Each session is an opportunity to collaborate with peers from different countries, exchange ideas, and work on a shared goal. It’s amazing to see how teamwork and creativity come together to create something meaningful. I particularly enjoy the interactive nature of the program. We complete tasks, learn new skills, and constantly communicate with our team members. It’s exciting to connect with students and teachers from different cultural backgrounds and learn about their experiences»;
Olena Samar: «The eTwinning program helps us gain new knowledge but also teaches how to work in teams with people from different cultures, which is very valuable. During one session, we had the chance to hear from two amazing speakers. Anne Laaredj-Campbell shared interesting projects and her own experience, which was very inspiring. Zack Symchych from Ukraine told us about his online school project, which was modern and useful. It was exciting to see a Ukrainian representative sharing such great ideas. We were also lucky to have Marvin Schultz from Altissia as a guest speaker. He showed us the language support tools on the Altissia platform, which were very helpful. This site (https://www.altissia.org/) Special thanks to our teacher, Richard Powers, who supports us in every class. He invites amazing speakers and introduces us to modern tools:https://pixabay.com/photos/smilies-fun-happy-smile-2495082/ The eTwinning program is a fantastic way to learn and connect with the world. It’s a program that truly inspires and motivates us to achieve more every day!»;
Katia Pentiuk: «Initially, it felt like a bit of a challenge for me, as I was confused due to my lack of prior experience with such programs. However, over the past seven weeks, I have gained much more confidence, and now I eagerly look forward to our weekly conferences. These sessions provide a space to share experiences, acquire new knowledge, receive feedback, and improve our speaking skills. The atmosphere during our conferences is warm and friendly. I am working on a project with my groupmates from Ukraine, Germany, and Italy. We stay in regular contact, communicate via WhatsApp, hold meetings on Google Meet, and steadily progress on our project titled “Storytelling for Children.” This experience has not only broadened my perspective but also strengthened my intercultural and teamwork skills»;
Katia Hrytskova: «As a Ukrainian master’s student from Kamianets-Podilskyi Ivan Ohiienko National University, I was thrilled to join the eTwinning course for the first time. The introduction week was a warm welcome to an exciting international community. The session about the course structure and how to register in eTwinning was well-organized and clear.
Learning about Project-Based Learning (PBL) was fascinating. Comparing projects with true PBL clarified how to design meaningful learning experiences. It was great meeting my group of Ukrainians and Germans, and the teamwork felt promising. We deepened our understanding of PBL and outlined our project. The guest session on digital tools was insightful, and our group made excellent progress in structuring our TwinSpace and project framework. Richard Powers’ insights on structuring virtual learning spaces were invaluable. My group submitted our first progress report, and it was rewarding to see how far we had come. The focus then shifted to Erasmus+ funding and toolkit formats. Although there were sometimes no Zoom classes, the asynchronous activities were engaging. My group is refining our project and working on the eTwinning platform now. I feel increasingly confident navigating international educational projects».