Teaching English in Poland Program (TEIP): Krakow
For the past three years (2015-2017), the Teaching English in Poland (TEIP) program, organised by the Kosciuszko Foundation in New York City, USA, has provided English language and American cultural experiences for Polish middle and high school students during a two-week intensive day program in the city of Krakow. Each summer, experienced teachers from the U.S. have joined an American Staff Leader as the American team. Together, they have designed English conversational language activities and cultural experiences where American holidays, American history, and American school traditions have been shared with the program participants. Field trips to local sights in Krakow have also been developed to help the Polish students practice their English skills through discussions and explanations with the American staff.
The TEIP program in Krakow, also has provided educational opportunities for Polish students to learn about Thaddeus Kosciuszko and his many significant roles in American history. At the end of the program, the students have demonstrated their knowledge and learning about Kosciuszko in English through art, music, and dramatic presentations.
This English language and American culture program in Krakow has also provided opportunities for the Polish teachers in the school and the American teachers to share teaching strategies and techniques in English and to cooperate in the classrooms together. Outside of the TEIP program, the Polish staff in coordination with Anna Krzeminska-Kaczynska, the Polish Coordinator of the program, developed cultural trips in the local Krakow area, to provide rich experiences for the American staff to learn about the Polish language, Polish culture, and Polish history.
The Teaching English in Poland program in Krakow has been a unique, diverse, enriching language and cultural experience for hundreds of Polish students, Polish teachers , staff, and administration as well as the American teachers and Staff Leader, over the past few years. We look forward to next summer and the future as we continue this English language and intercultural program with more Polish students and the special global friendships and collegiality that are created in this short but enriching, life changing intensive program.
By Dr. Gretchen L. Espinetti, American Staff Leader
