Abby, witamy w Sopocie!
Oto kilka słów od Abby: pierwsze wrażenia z pobytu w Polsce.

I’ve been finding it hard to put my first impression of Poland into words, I feel like the best way I’ve managed to do it so far is that it feels like home.

When I decided to take a gap year in Poland before going to university to study criminal psychology I was seventeen years old. It actually started off as a joke with my statistic teacher as her father is Polish. But the closer I got to turning eighteen and finishing high school, the more the idea of moving to Poland became less of a joke and more of a surreal reality. And now at eighteen I can officially say I packed my bags and moved halfway across the world from Napier, New Zealand to Gdańsk, Poland.

I knew when I picked Poland that I was in for a cultural shock, and although it sounded intimidating it also sounded like a dream come true. As a European New Zealander having lived in a relatively young country my whole life, non English based culture was something I desired with a passion. I can confidently say Poland fulfilled these desires.

So far in Poland I’ve visited Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław and TriCity. A few of my highlights from my stay in each place are:

Ice skating in Warsaw - I wasn’t very good.

The Wawel Royal Cathedral and Salt mines in Kraków.

Panorama Raclawicka and Kolejkowo the model train museum in Wrocław.

And the Second World War museum and the beach in Tricity. Having come from a country full of beaches going to the Sopot pier and seeing the frozen sea was unbelievable. Attached are two photos one taken at the Sopot pier not long after I arrived in Poland and the other is taken at the Napier Wharf before i left New Zealand.

I can’t wait to add to these highlights throughout the rest of the year in Poland and Europe. As much as I look forward to my university studies once i get back to NZ, I already know that it’s going to hard to leave Poland when the time comes.

Abby Owens

CLIL IS FUN!

While our school's priority is teaching bilingually, students along with their teachers of English, Biology and Geography have been involved in a lot of activities combining learning the subject, the language and, of course, having fun.

You want proof?

Below you can find a sample of what has been happening during CLIL classes in the first semester.

English lessons

This year we are busy working on our mini-projects trying to connect learning English with many other skills that could come in handy in future, such as the use of multimedia and teamwork, and most importantly, we are exploring our own creative potential. We have tried e.g. script writing, voice acting, video making, product designing and marketing.

The videos below are great examples of a combination of the skills mentioned above.

1. Survival guide.

The students of the 7th grade of our primary school created a magnificent clip instructing people on how to survive in the jungle. Very amusing as well.

2. Gadgets of the future.

The incredible work done by the 7th grade students as well shows how innovative and clever their ideas can be. Well done indeed!

Geography

1. Discussions in English.

Students express their opinions and points of view on various issues. During numbers of conversations, we work on enriching topical vocabulary. Students often speak on issues that interest them. During the course we relate to the problems connected to English-speaking countries such as Apartheid in South AFrica, new technologies in the United States, travels to India, differences between Australia and New Zealand, globalisation and more.

2. Learning amd having fun.

During our geography lessons, games are a common tool. We often play and talk in English. Just take a look at those curious and smiling faces!

3. Projects based on science, multimedia and the language.

Our students carry out projects themselves and they always try to present the results of their discoveries. They try to do it in English as we all know that in this way they acquire new skills necessary for their future lives.

4. Learn in Polish, but practise in English.

We work with properly selected materials. Occasionally we create texts, workbooks, maps and many others.

Biology

This one of the 6th grade student's report:

"In February on our Biology lessons we were studying some facts about different environments such as: deserts, tropical forests and boreal forest. We have discovered the seasons in different parts of the Earth. We've learnt how to analyze climiate charts. We have got to know where different animals live."

Lessons with English are not difficult for us. Our last topic - sekelecton. By playing with English, we learn the elements of the human skeleton in both languages. We were happy to participate and have fun with our new friend - Skeleton Kostek.

And this is just the beginning! 
We can't wait to show you more.