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

  1.  have an opportunity to observe the host university instructors’ teaching
  2.  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
  3.  If officially charged by AIU authorities, negotiate about the possibility of establishing closer academic ties with the University of Silesia.