The project "Active Eleven in Europe - Europe in Eleven" was a response to the needs of the school and the modern world and was aimed at increasing the quality and effectiveness of teaching through comprehensive training of teachers and management using modern technologies, foreign and national courses and job shadowing in effective schools so that our students have access to education at the highest level and develop their abilities and interests. We wanted to be role-models for them, demonstrating that learning is a life-long process, regardless of age or the place where we live. Therefore, the main goals of the project related to: - improving communication skills in English, with an emphasis on the subject language and general communication, while exchanging experiences with teachers from many European countries, establishing cooperation, co-creating projects - learning and implementing innovative methods and tools for working with the student, including the CLIL, Projects, Drama, STEM methods, - modernizing the school thanks to the wider use of communication and information technologies.
Our school has been implementing European projects since 2006 and one of the problems faced by teachers has been poor command of English. This impedes professional development and limits the opportunities for training abroad and e-learning. During project trips and hosting guests at our school, it hinders the establishment of closer contacts, free exchange of thoughts and asking questions. The introduction of older children (7-8th grade) at school, whose knowledge of English and computer technologies is increasing, requires understanding and creativity from teachers. Students eagerly refer to foreign-language sources, materials, books, films, websites and use apps. We wanted the teachers to follow-up these sources of learning. Another problem noticed at school was the lack of motivation to study. The students signalled verbally or through their behaviour that the lessons were uninteresting, boring and did not require any active engagement from them. The school's dream was to use new teaching methods and modern ICT tools. We needed a well-prepared, self-confident and motivated staff who could implement the planned changes.