Testimonials
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Here are some statement from participants of the Grundtvig Workshop Talking Foreign that took place in April 2011 in Vienna.
Diana (Bulgaria)
“The success story of the Talking Foreign workshop needs to be disseminated if Grundtvig Workshops are to be, firstly, highly rewarding on a professional and personal level, secondly, a true EU experience in cross cultural communication and, third, an unforgettable experience.”
Mona (Denmark):
“From my point of view the informality of the workshop – but still well organised – is the biggest reason for success.
I am positivly suprised about the outcome of the seminar, not because I did not expect a good outcome but I had expected mostly to gain from it personally, but have found that it is also good for my teaching. I have realized that the big difference in the way of ‘attacking’ the issues have made me think very much about the way I introduce my students to their work with their presentations for the exam. I think they will ‘attack’ for more angels this year than usually which is very good. We have tried the ‘talking foreign’ game and it also worked for them - both in my English classes and in the Danish as a Second Language classes. So the game it self was really good!
I also liked Fabianas input very much and I think it was important for the good outcome of the second round. I did not get that much from Lenas input, maybe because I have had lots of similar inputs in my time as a teacher, but to me it seemed as though she never come to the point of why she/we did what we did.
The cultural program was splendid! Beeing in Vienna again made me hungry after more so my daughter and I will spend 5 days in June in Vienna, seeing some of the things I did not see and some of the things, I already have seen, again.
Alberto (Spain)
“When I read the proposal I thought that the Workshop would be like a traditional session about ‘communications skills’ in base of our topic presentations. But, finally the workshop was totally different. We use the corporal body in order to get the relax necessary to talk in public. So at the beginning it was a big surprise for me (I’m a lawyer…) to discover new ways ‘no traditional’ to learn about communications.
When I arrived to Valencia I decided to compare and ask to other colleges about if they know some of the exercises that I did in Vienna. One of my friends, who works in KPMG (an international tax firm) answered me ‘Yes, I did it too’ (especially the eyes exercises). So, it was great know that in my sector the big companies uses as well this exercises. Then, my question is, why the university didn’t implant these news tools to improve the communication?
Finally, for me, the most important exercise that we did in Vienna was the eyes exercises. It’s looks easy however when you do the exercises you discover the power of the eyes.”
Ceylan (Turkey)
“Before attending the Grundtvig Workshop ‘ Talking Foreign’, I expected to practice my English in a real situation as I didn’t have any opportunity. So, the title attracted my attention in that way. Developing further interest in meeting new people and practicing European citizenship would be my collateral target. By exchanging good practices I hoped to diminish prejudices and promote a more open-minded attitude towards cultures.
This workshop fulfilled my all expectations. It maintained an atmosphere of warmth, affection, support and understanding of each culture. It enhanced the understanding of and respect for other cultures and lifestyles by sharing demonstrations. Other benefits were the exchange of the ideas, the transfer of good practices.
This workshop was a great opportunity for me to broaden my horizon and make me aware of and interested in other languages and cultures.
It was first time I had been in abroad. So, I was so worried about the accomodation, the meal,etc. But everything was well-chosen and well prepared. Nothing went wrong and everything was excellent. “
Joanna (Poland):
“The ‘talking foreign’ workshop was a big adventure from the very beginning. I couldn't say exactly why, but browsing the catalog on the Grundtvig site, seeing many interesting subjects, I just knew this was the workshop I needed and wanted to attend. A kind of fling for the good spirit.
As in daily life I have to present many subjects to many different people in various ways, it seemed to be perfect. I expected and maybe was a bit afraid about the more formal frame as at school, with evaluation and comments on every presentation, pressure, insisting on using the specific knowledge we would become familiar on the particular day. As it turned out, the workshop was run in a really friendly manner without any stress. I was astonished to realize that I even managed to forget about all the cameras around and being filmed.
It was really unforgettable and enriching experience, in many ways unquantifiable. There we stood on the first evening - 14 people who didn't know anything about each other, apart from names and subjects they would present. And again then we stood on the second evening and I felt as in a group of old friends. Just after a one day of workshop.
Being Foreign Talker was like a dream, looking at the same world, but from the very different angle, or even from many different angles at a time, because of hearing and seeing various attitudes towards the same subjects.
Informal learning and learning by doing really works! The friendly atmosphere, people who want to learn, act, and are open to share experience. I got many ideas and thoughts back with me, some very simple but in a way invention for me.
I enjoyed trying out loud my English and German. Understanding and being understood was really satisfying after all the years of education. Funny though how sometimes we did communicate using a mixture of many European languages to express our feelings and ideas.
I wish we had more exercises on body language and voice or even dancing. Maybe presenting is thinking is presenting? Could we try it on the next workshop?”