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Symposia provide a source of inspiration and motivation for me

She is the most loyal participant in the Methodological SYMPOSIUM for teachers from abroad and her infographics emerging from each lesson are a hit. I chatted with Anna Jakubowska from the University of Warsaw about the inspiration she draws from the symposium for her teaching and about the intricacies of Czech. 

This is your eleventh time at the Methodological SYMPOSIUM for teachers from abroad. What makes you come back to Prague every year?

I find myself eagerly anticipating the start of the new school year after each symposium, looking forward to teaching Czech again and trying out the innovations in my own classes. The symposia are a source of inspiration and motivation for me. Improving your skills and expanding your knowledge may seem like an easy task at first sight, but it is actually more difficult if you already have extensive knowledge. This year, I was really impressed by Šárka Jeřábková's presentation, who gave a great lecture on incorporating stories into teaching Czech as a foreign language.   

One of the greatest benefits and most interesting aspects of the symposia is the interaction with other teachers, as we share valuable experiences with each other. I have to admit that I lack a similar exchange at my workplace in Warsaw, because there is no time for sharing during the daily routine. Everyone is focused on their work and sharing inspiring experience is not the order of the day. It is really wonderful that we have the opportunity to network with teachers who are involved in educating different nationalities. Observing how others deal with teaching people from different cultures is extremely enriching for me, it drives me forward and helps me to become open to new perspectives. 

What makes Polish students of Czech different from students of other nationalities? 

In many respects the Slavic nations have an advantage, of course, but there are also negatives. They can easily get entangled in certain linguistic traps. It happens to me that a Pole will use a Polish word or sentence construction that is similar to Czech but not quite correct. The problem then is that students think they speak and understand well, but unfortunately this is not true. That's why I decided to start an Instagram profile where I regularly deal with these traps. Also, students kept asking me similar questions and I kept thinking, "Jesus Christ, how many times do I have to explain this!" So, I started writing about it and making short videos. The posts are short and my viewers find this comfortable and helpful.   

You are famous at the symposium for making infographics of individual seminars.

In addition to teaching Czech, I also engage in cognitive and psychosocial skills training. As a coach, I focus on how to learn effectively and how to improve your memory using mnemonics and visual notes. I try to use different methods in teaching Czech, such as creating poems or sentences in which each letter plays a certain role. For example, we use mnemonics to remember the consonants b, f, l, m, p, s, v, z, or each group creates its own sentence. In this way, students remember which letter corresponds to which meaning.  

I encourage writing and drawing, and most of my students have a paper notebook, even though we normally all sit in front of computers these days. When we pick up a pencil and draw or write something, different parts of our brain are working, and if we add colour to it, it improves our ability to remember information. My students create their own grammar charts that are highlighted in colour, and this helps them to better navigate through grammar rules.  

But back to your question and the infographics at the symposium. It is true, I create one image from each lecture and Petra Jirásková then sends them to all the participants. Years ago, I did it by hand on paper, now I use an iPad. Before the symposium starts, the participants ask me if I have everything with me and if I'm going to make infographics again.  

Do you see study habits changing in the younger generation?

I don't like students who arrive late, don't even bring a pencil, take a picture of a page from the textbook with their cell phone, and think they are working. People often expect someone to teach them everything, but none of us have that power. Even if the best teacher in the world walked in and did who knows what, you still have to learn it yourself. Students often ask me for a way to learn more effectively, and I tell them, just start doing something for it and you will see. Many students today want to somehow magically reach their goal quickly, but that's not possible.  

What would you recommend to ILPS students?

They should learn and enjoy being in Prague or the Czech Republic, they should walk around and listen and, above all, do something. Because our own work is the most important thing that helps us improve.  

The Methodological SYMPOSIUM for teachers from abroad focuses on enhancing and developing knowledge in the methodology and didactics of Czech as a foreign language and on the exchange of experience from various foreign workplaces. Traditionally, we focus on topics related to teaching Czech as a foreign language (grammar, teaching materials, Common European Framework of Reference), new technologies in foreign language teaching and areas of personal development of teachers. In addition, each year focuses on one specific topic. The graduates receive a certificate of attendance at the end of the course.  

Text: Petra Köppl

Photo: Archiv Anna Jakubowská