Polish Phrasebook
Children and youth
Completed
mazowieckie
Warszawa
ProjektPolska.is, Iceland
2014-10-01 - 2015-08-31
81 642,41 PLN
73 435,41 PLN
multiculturalism, refugees and migrants
Project description
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.