In Austrian schools it is a good tradition to take the students to foreign speaking countries on what it is called ‘intensive language weeks’. Dr Susanne Pratscher, a teacher at VBS-HAKIII Schoenborngasse, in Vienna, Austria tells us more about this project. She also shares some pictures, as the photography is one of her hobbies.
VBS-HAKIII Schoenborngasse - U.S.A. Project 2004
Students enjoy this activity very much, as they get not only the chance to practice a foreign language, but also to learn more about the country they travel to and the customs of the population. The positive aspect of this activity in the U.S.A. is, that host families - who do not get paid for that - just host the youngster because they are interested in learning more about the young people and their home countries. They completely integrate them in their family lives.
I have been organising these language weeks for my students for more than ten years, and since 1999 I have taken them to New Jersey, where we always have three very busy weeks: in the morning the group meets for the days activities. After having been introduced to the local area as such, the students visit local schools and local businesses. Apart from that, we also get to see many interesting places, such as New York City, Philadelphia, Princeton, West Point and Washington DC. When we leave, the students' English has improved, and they have made friends with their host families. As long as they keep in contact with the host families, they are always welcome to return.
Students enjoy this activity very much, as they get not only the chance to practice a foreign language, but also to learn more about the country they travel to and the customs of the population. The positive aspect of this activity in the U.S.A. is, that host families - who do not get paid for that - just host the youngster because they are interested in learning more about the young people and their home countries. They completely integrate them in their family lives.
I have been organising these language weeks for my students for more than ten years, and since 1999 I have taken them to New Jersey, where we always have three very busy weeks: in the morning the group meets for the days activities. After having been introduced to the local area as such, the students visit local schools and local businesses. Apart from that, we also get to see many interesting places, such as New York City, Philadelphia, Princeton, West Point and Washington DC. When we leave, the students' English has improved, and they have made friends with their host families. As long as they keep in contact with the host families, they are always welcome to return.
