The objective of this project was to improve the
foreign language and entrepreneurial skills of
pupils as well as their knowledge of each other’s
culture. This was achieved through virtual communication,
two exchanges and the creation of a
full-colour, trilingual magazine in English, Icelandic
and Slovak.
Creating a consumer magazine is no easy feat. To
produce Icevakia, the students and teachers communicated
frequently through email, Internet chats, bulletin
boards, web cameras and social networks like MySpace.
Communication was particularly important when preparing
the exchanges and when working on the joint magazine.
Constant interaction accompanying the exchanges was a
key factor in increasing the language skills of the participating
students.
Both exchanges were organised to give the students
maximum exposure to the culture and history of their
partner country. During the many carefully planned excursions,
the students were always in close contact with each
other. Workshops were also held at the Icelandic school
to teach the Slovakian students about the various vocational
disciplines practiced at the school. The students
also presented their culture and language to teachers and
students at the partner school that were not participating
in the exchange.
Staying with host families in their homes was vital to the
exchange and gave students a glimpse of the culture and
customs of the host country.
During the exchanges, thousands of pictures documenting
the project were uploaded every other day to
www.idnskolinn.info. This gave students not taking part
in the exchange as well as teachers and families of the
participating students a fi rst-hand look at the project.
Both the web page and the magazine continue to serve as
educational tools.
After the exchanges, pupils wrote articles about their
experiences. These articles were written in their native
language and then translated by students and teachers
into English and the partner language.
Icevakia is the most tangible proof of the success of this
bilateral project. It is an impressive magazine in its own
right and was printed and widely distributed in both countries.
It was also published on the web in pdf format and
is still available for download at www.idnskolinn.info/
icevakia.pdf.
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