We are two groups of students from Apor Vilmos Katolikus Föiskola and University of Winchester made visits to each other's institutions and partnership schools.
We are training to become teachers and we are all enthusiastic about children's literature. We are interested in how to develop children's love of literature through various teaching methods, for example, the use of iPads and puppets. We have been exchanging knowledge about classroom practices in our different countries and comparing how cultures influence the way we teach and how children learn. |
Look at the link above to see a powerpoint in which students talk about their experience
Student reflection on their project experience |
Our Aims
The project aims at promoting and providing both academic and practical background for the English and Hungarian Folk Tales Research Project of University of Winchester and Apor Vilmos Katolikus Föiskola. The students are investigating English and Hungarian Folk and Fairy Tales favouring tales that are common to both England and Hungary. We are carrying out comparative analysis of the following English and Hungarian Folk Tales: The Gingerbread Man and The Little Dumpling Hans My Hedgehog, In 2018 we will be working with Cinderella.
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Our Objectives
To emphasize intercultural aspects of folk tale tradition through investigating similarities and differences
To identify the national characteristics emerging in the tales, and enhancing knowledge about the British and Hungarian culture To promote international cooperation through students sharing research and knowledge exchange To offer possibility of gaining international experience To enhance students’ knowledge about folk tales, particularly the Hungarian and English ones, and relevant theory To investigate how the tales can be represented in different art forms in different countries For Hungarian students to develop English language skills, and develop art and craft skills To develop an intercultural dialogue and develop intercultural competencies To foster talent in Hungarian and English students Students and schools develop pedagogical teaching and learning activities for children to use to engage meaningfully with folk and fairy tales. |
Practical and Artistic Aspects
Practical and artistic aspects are also emphasised. The theoretical, research part of the course will be accompanied by art and craft activities aiming at preparing puppets, props, scenery, illustrations etc. to be used in performances in seminars and in school work with children.
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Pedagogical Aspects
Students from both countries share a common interest in children and an ambition to become teachers in school at the end of their university course. As well as an academic interest in analysing the psychological and cultural significance of the folk and fairy tales, students are deeply interested in how to unlock children’s love of children’s literature.
In parallel with the English and Hungarian students’ cooperation, there is also be primary school work. Students will research possible ways of working with the children based on the tales. They will choose 1 or 2 tales, prepare lesson plans, dramatize and perform the tales with children. Schools that have existing good partnerships with the universities will host the students and assist them in their practical classroom work with children. Students are working with children in their home country, experimenting with ideas for teaching children about the folk and fairy tales. They will refine these and then prepare to share the classroom pedagogical techniques with their partner students when they visit their country and they work together in the classroom. They will then be critiqued and further refined after experience with children using the approaches |