Professional Development
Guten Tag!
As my third week in Linz draws to a close I can look back on what has been
another hectic yet truly enjoyable past few days. This week has been packed
full of activities such as teaching practice,
skiing, rugby and getting my first Austrian haircut! Believe me, attempting to
explain a 'short back and sides' in German is not an easy task! Undertaking the Erasmus Programme gives you the chance to experience new systems and approaches towards education. Within the next few paragraphs I will attempt to reflect on my professional experiences so far and with both university and teaching practice well under way, there is plenty to share.
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| The Pädagogische Hochschule OÖ |
University life is now in full swing and I am loving it! The Pädagogische Hochschule OÖ is a modern establishment equipped with the latest reources and up-to-date facilities. People undertaking the Erasmus Programme are genuinely treated with a lot of respect by both staff and students and our happiness seems to be quite high on everyones' priority list. Augustinus once said "The world is a book, and those who do not travel, read only one page". This famous quote can be seen printed on walls of the Pädagogische and I feel really captures the essence of what the Erasmus Programme means to the people here.
In terms of modules, I was very fortunate to be offered a wide selection. Some of my choices range from learning German to coaching basketball, from making movies to cultural awareness. 'Learning is a process that must be done together', this motto can also be seen on the walls of the Pädagogische and each class I have been to has taken a thoroughly interactive approach. Our tutors are constantly splitting us into groups, letting us be heard and express our own viewpoints. The fact that my classes are filled with many people of different nationalities only adds to the whole experience and it is great to be learning about education systems throughout the world. I suppose education in Northern Ireland is vastly becoming multi-cultural with more and more Newcomer pupils joining our schools every year. Therefore I firmly believe that as future educators we must be equipped with and know how to best implement the strategies that will facilitate the learning of these children and I hope my time in Austria will help me do this.
The Austrian education system is very similar to both the Swiss and German systems. A specific feature of this system is the four-year primary/elementary education followed by secondary education that is split up into two four-year periods. Here, compulsory schooling starts at the age of six and lasts for nine years with both a free and public system on offer. One comparison that can be made between the system here and Northern Ireland is the fact that schools here offer a series of vocational- technical and university preparatory tracks involving one to three additional years of education beyond the minimum mandatory level.
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| Pauli the dog! |
My personal highlight of this week without doubt came on Wednesday, where I was asked to talk to the children about my country, Northern Ireland. Despite the pupils laughing at my somewhat 'different' German accent, this was a very enjoyable and valauble experience and I feel was a success! After all, “Change your language and you change your thoughts.” (Karl Albrecht, 2006)
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| Presenting to the class! |
James
References:
- Albrecht, K., 2006, Social Intelligence, The New Science of Success, Jossey - Bass, San Francisco
- PH-OOE, 2012, The Pädagogische Hochschule OÖ, available at http://www.ph-ooe.at/ [Accessed 15/03/2013]
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