Visit to the University of Silesia in Katowice
January 12, 2021
A Report
As an Erasmus+ Staff Mobility participant, I paid a didactic visit (teaching) to the University of Silesia, Faculty of Philology (Poland, Katowice) between May 6 and May 10, 2019. All required documents were provided and signed on time; the grant money (1800 EU) was remitted on my credit card the first day of my stay in Poland.
Before the visit, I sent a list of 12 possible topics to be selected among to teach Polish students. In their turn, the Head of the Faculty offered me to teach 2+ 2 periods of reading and 2+2 periods of writing, which I successfully accomplished. (8 academic hours in total). In my teaching, I stuck to communicative methodology, which promoted students’ cooperation and involved them in production of the target language. Based on the feedback from students (1st and 2nd-year; level B2), I conclude that they found the classes interesting and useful.
Besides teaching, I toured the university buildings in Katowice and Sosnovec to see the teaching facilities and learning materials available for the students. I also had informal talks with some professors and the head of the faculty. We shared our academic concerns and plans for further cooperation. In particular, I was invited to participate in an upcoming conference the university is organizing this autumn.
To conclude, I have accomplished most of the tasks planned for this didactic visit. If I have another chance, I’d like to
- have an opportunity to observe the host university instructors’ teaching
- have a panel discussion where we could share ideas about how to improve teacher preparation programs in both universities, including curriculum, syllabi and pedagogical practicum
- If officially charged by AIU authorities, negotiate about the possibility of establishing closer academic ties with the University of Silesia.