IFA UJ applied linguistics specialization students' visit to Université Blaise Pascal and
Ecole Bilingue Internationale in Clermont-Ferrand, France
The project "CLAVIER intercultural encounters: gaining professional experience" was
organized by dr Marcin Kleban, the coordinator of Applied Linguistics specialization in the
Institute of English Studies, UJ, and Simon Ensor, an English teacher from Université Blaise
Pascal in Clermont-Ferrand, France. Six first-year MA Applied Linguistics students from the
Institute of English Studies visited Clermont-Ferrand from 15 to 20 March, 2016. The main
objectives of the students' project were: to get first-hand experience of teaching in a foreign
country and to develop their intercultural
competences.
During their stay, they observed and
participated in teaching at two educational
institutions in Clermont-Ferrand: Université
Blaise
Pascal
and
Ecole
Bilingue
Internationale (EBI).
At EBI, the students were given the chance to observe the teaching of English as a language
of international communication. English at EBI is taught both as a tool for acquiring
knowledge and as a means to develop the pupils’ cultural and intercultural awareness.
The IFA students observed the
pedagogical
skills
of
the
experienced English teachers.
They examined the lessons and
noted many useful tricks of the
trade which may be applicable
to their future work as English
language teachers.
All of the activities contributed to their personal, professional and
intercultural development.
During the visit to Université Blaise Pascal, the
IFA students were given an opportunity to teach
the French undergraduate students. The IFA
students were able to put into practice teaching
skills that they have been developing in their
didactic courses in Poland.
Additionally, the students explored
the city's cultural and historical
monuments, got familiar with the
local culture and traditions and
shared the every-day life of the
students in Clermont-Ferrand who
were their hosts during the stay.