Description
The underlying need for this project which is designed to benefit 120 students of Polish and Vietnamese origin aged12-16 in the Public School Complex in Mroków is to bridge a gap in Poland's education system by developing a communication tool to help students who do not speak Polish. The project will offer creative workshops for 20 students who will then develop a picture game to enhance the knowledge of the Polish language. Subsequently, 100 students will try the game in practice at a multicultural workshop. The game will be printed and distributed to 5 rural schools to reach a total of 3,000 students. The same game will also be produced in the Icelandic language version for foreign children who start school in Iceland. Both language versions will be posted on STEP and partners' websites. The project partners will promote the game in conferences, training courses, workshops, media interview etc.). The project will engage young people in the cultural adaptation process for children with foreign backgrounds.
Summary of project results
Foreign nationals account for about 2 per cent in Poland. The community of Lesznowola is unique with its 10% population of Chinese and Vietnamese nationals. The project was implemented in a local school in Mroków, where foreign students accounted for about 10 per cent (15 per cent today). Under the Education System Law, foreign students are admitted to Polish schools to grades based on the number of complete years in education in their home country. Some children admitted to schools in Poland do not speak Polish. Interviewed teachers have reported the lack of tools to support children's basic communication with Polish peers and teachers to be the major challenge. The project was designed to develop a communication tool, i.e. a language game called Mini-Phrase Book. The project involved middle school students who designed and developed the game and it is used by students and teachers alike as an education and communication tool. The game is available in three language combinations: Polish-Chinese, Polish-Vietnamese and Polish-Icelandic. The project was the first ZSP initiative in Mroków to involve both Polish and migrant youth. It ensured young people were engaged for improved migrant youth integration and communication in Polish schools. It encouraged middle school students to get involved in community affairs and initiatives. It was a follow-up of earlier efforts in the Mroków school to integrate migrant students in Mroków. The project produced scenarios for creative workshops for middle school students and such workshops were conducted (introductory, creative and cultural); events were organised to promote the game; an exhibition of participants' designs was staged; other activities included a concert and a project publication. The project partner,the Project:PolandFoundation from Iceland had the game translated into Icelandic. The Polish partner, the World within Reach Foundation, provided technical and management support, offered advice on working with a culturally diverse group, helped recruit students and organise the workshops, the exhibition and game distribution. The partners posted the game and the publication on their respective websites.
Summary of bilateral results
Thanks to bilateral cooperation, the Project Promoter’s game was accessible to the Polish community in Iceland and it was available on the projekt:polska.pl website. The partner translated the game into Icelandic, promoted the project and the game on their Facebook fan page and on the “Poles in Iceland” fan page. The Project Promoter shared the knowledge and experience resulting from education of migrating children and learned about the system of educating foreign students in Iceland. Information The Polish partner provided information on the challenges of educating foreign students in Poland, most important being learning the language and culture and the process of adaptation in the new country. Equally important is awareness of the fact that the students become “kids of a third culture”.