Practices

Assistantship at a Portuguese pre-primary school
Comenius Assistantship
Institution involved:
Escola Básica de Vivalva, Agrupamento de Escolas n4 de Evora (Portugal)
Key words: Content, Staff competences
Key words: Staff competences, Diversity
Description:
Thematic Field: ECEC
Ms Klára Černá from the Czech Republic followed a Comenius assistantship for 10
months at a pre-primary school in Évora (Portugal). The assistant worked with three
classes in the kindergarten (children aged 4-6) as well as with children of the 1st and
2nd class in the primary school. With one of her classes she started a Czech-
Portuguese project in cooperation with a kindergarten in Prague-Vinoř. The aim of the
project was to provide children with the basic knowledge of Czech and Portuguese
culture by exchanging experiences, photographs, letters, pictures and songs.
On a personal level, the assistantship represented a great learning experience,
giving the chance to improve her language skills in English and Portuguese.
Furthermore, the experience abroad clearly added value.
Her personal report reflects the good integration of her in the hosting school and
the strong impact the assistantship had on her professional as well as private life:
"As our school is small, there is very nice atmosphere. We know and support each
other. My colleagues are also my friends. We talk not only about working matters, but
also about our joys and serious topics. I realized that although we come from different
cultures, we have similar problems and strive for similar goals. I believe that I will be
glad to return to Portugal anytime."
Duration:
10 months (2012-2013)
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