SCHOOLS EDUCATION

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When I get a little money I buy books;

and if any is left I buy food and clothes...

- Desiderius Erasmus

Educational Supplement for Winter 2014

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TEXT ANDRÉ CROUSSTAFF WRITER

It’s never too early to start thinking about the future, and for those who speak English and want to get a shot at improving their knowledge not only about their field of study but another culture, the U.S. Embassy

in Prague offers multiple avenues to pursue. The permanent diplomatic mission of the United States in the Czech Republic is deeply involved in a number of educational initiatives in both countries, and the teamwork extends far beyond granting scholarships or teaching English.

The cooperation of the two countries goes back

a century: Not only did the first president of Czechoslovakia, Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, lobby extensively for the creation and recognition of an independent Czech and Slovak state during World War I, and received firm support from U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, but he had married an American citizen, Charlotte Garrigue, in the United States in 1878.

After they moved to Prague in what was then the Austro-Hungarian Empire, she learned and ultimately became fluent in her husband’s native tongue. Besides Czech and German, Masaryk also spoke English; during World War I, he taught at King’s College in London, delivered lectures at Oxford and Cambridge and wrote articles in many of

PROMOTING THE

VALUE OF EDUCATION

In 2011, on the occasion of the 20-year anniversary of the cooperation between the Czech Republic and the United States on the Fulbright program, some of the grantees of the program attended a lecture on political culture at the American Center. PHOTO: THE FULBRIGHT COMMISSION CZECH REPUBLIC.

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traditional

Through its embassy in Prague, the United States pushes many programs to enhance the learning opportunities for students, scholars in the Czech Republic

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the country’s newspapers.

Shortly after the Velvet Revolution of 1989, with Czechoslovakia’s return to the world stage as a democratic power, the Czechoslovak and U.S. governments signed an agreement that established the Fulbright Commission, whose purpose is “to enhance mutual understanding through educational, scientific and cultural exchanges based on governmental scholarship programs, information and advising services.”

Since its inception in 1991, more than 750 Czechs have received scholarships to further their studies or research at tertiary institutions in the United States, while some 619 U.S. students and scholars have come to the Czech Republic to pursue studies or carry out research at various universities and to teach English in primary and high schools.

The students are chosen by members of the commission’s boards, of whom the Czech Education Ministry appoints half and the U.S. Embassy in Prague the other half. There are multiple scholarships for which to apply, and the U.S. Embassy provides significant assistance to potential grantees through its Educational Advising Center by offering admission support and information about the various kinds of tests one has to take before being allowed to register at certain U.S. universities.

The Fulbright program goes back to 1945, when Arkansas Senator William Fulbright, who was also instrumental in the founding of the United Nations that same year, pushed for the creation of a commission that would emphasize multinational cooperation in education and would lead to “mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries of the world.” Fulbright was a Rhodes Scholar who had studied economics and history at Oxford in the 1920s, where he also captained the Pembroke College soccer team.

Today, the Fulbright program operates in more than 155 countries, with about a third of them engaged in bi-national exchanges. It is funded jointly by the United States Congress and the host country, and the annual operational budget in the Czech Republic amounts to around $2 million.

The list of awards handed out by the Fulbright Commission is long and can be accessed on its website (www.fulbright.cz). The most sought-after prizes for students are the Fulbright Scholarship for Graduate Studies, while scholars usually have their

eye on the Fulbright Scholarship for Research and Lecturing, and the Fulbright-Masaryk Scholarship for postdoctoral and senior categories. Other prizes include but are not limited to studying the medical sciences and being a scholar-in-residence at a U.S. university.

The annual deadline for Czech students to apply for the student scholarship is Sept. 1. The deadline for scholars to apply for the research and lecturing scholarship is Oct. 1, and for the Fulbright-Masaryk scholarship it is Dec. 1. The latter gets its name from the first Czechoslovak president, who was a sociologist by training, and rewards individuals who are active in both academic and community life. The scholarship was launched March 7, 2000, exactly 150 years after his birth.

Besides the Fulbright Program, the U.S. government has also initiated a “Speaker’s Bureau” program, which connects its diplomatic corps with Czech schools that show an interest in the United States and its civics. Schools in Prague can invite diplomats from the embassy to come and speak directly to students at the school about topics as varied as economics, history, culture and sports, while schools outside Prague can organize a link-up via Skype with a diplomat at the embassy.

Another way in which the U.S. educational system can benefit those in the Czech Republic keen on orienting their learning in that direction is through MOOCs, or massive open online courses. These courses, which include learning and teaching materials such as lecture videos, quizzes and more, are available online via numerous providers. The stated objective is to overcome a shortage of resources and make top-quality learning accessible to those outside the United States. These courses are in no way meant to replace but rather to complement learning outside the borders of the United States.

All of these programs and initiatives are rounded out by the American Center, a few steps from the embassy building in Prague’s Malá Strana district, which organizes lectures, discussions and film screenings on a weekly basis. It also has a reading room and a library, and the embassy further promotes the country’s culture in literature by making available its “America in a Box” book kit, containing numerous novels that offer a broad perspective on the history of the country and the life of its people.

André Crous can be reached at acrous@praguepost.com

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TEXT RAYMOND JOHNSTONSTAFF WRITER

In the arts especially, a lot of learning takes place outside of a formal school setting. Traditional classes can only take you so far, and you can learn a lot more by actually doing something that will eventually be seen

by a real audience.

Theater groups often have their own workshops and programs to develop up-and-coming talent, and people from all skill ranges can get involved.

Prague Shakespeare Company has an artistic workshop program, and the results of the current workshop will be seen in mid-December in a show called Mary Stuart Winter 2015, which blends

classical themes from a play by Friedrich Schiller with the modern world of fashion. Winter 2015 isn’t a typo, as the show looks at an upcoming fashion season being previewed in advance. The show will be presented Dec. 16 through 19 at Divadlo Kolowrat.

Any PSC member can submit a proposal for a workshop, but the participants in the production such as actors and stage crew can come from outside.

“The PSC Artistic Lab Series is focused on developing new and innovative work influenced by the classical canon while simultaneously nurturing individual company members’ creative growth, allowing everyone the opportunity to take risks in an artistically safe and supportive environment. We

THEATER WORKSHOP SEEKS

IDEASbold

PRAGUE SHAKESPEARE COMPANY OFFERS MEMBERS SPACE TO

EXPLORE IDEAS

Members of the workshop attend the first reading of the script at the rehearsal space in Divadlo Kolowrat.

COURTESY PHOTO

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believe it is vital to nurture artists outside of the pressures of fully produced main stage productions. These workshops allow for a creative freedom and uninhibited level of artistic expression,” PSC artistic director Guy Roberts said.

PSC gives the person who submitted a successful proposal some financial support, space to develop and rehearse the concept, and space to put on the production in front of an audience.

The first workshop project, produced last spring, was AmeriKAfka, adapted and directed by PSC associate artist Gregory Gudgeon. In the first half of 2015 the company is producing another project focusing on a Chekhov story. “The lab series is something we are committed to continuing every season, because it reflects our commitment to developing our artists,” Roberts said.

And even though the workshops proposals are only open to company members, the company itself isn’t a closed group. “Every season we have open auditions for artists to join the company, and each year we have additions to the long-time company members. Once someone is in the company they can submit a proposal. The artistic company is made up of actors, directors, designers, writers and others and is open to people from all nationalities and disciplines,” Roberts said. “We accept résumés and applications throughout the year,” he added.

The current project, Mary Stuart Winter 2015, came from Lindsay Taylor, who invited the Prague Post to an early planning session and read-through of the script in progress. The play will be presented by the PSC Artistic Lab Series in association with A Broad’s Way Productions.

Many of the people involved in the workshop already have a good deal of experience. Most wanted to be involved, though, to learn more about other disciplines and expand their skills.

The project Mary Stuart Winter 2015 is more

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than just a play. It involves fashion photography, contemporary fashion design, live and recorded video, choreography, original music and social media. There are speaking and non-speaking roles for actors. The idea involves taking the Schiller play Mary Stuart, about the rivalry between England’s Queen Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots, and transposing it to modern times. The House of Stuart and House of Tudor become rival fashion houses, like House of Armani and House of Gucci.

Just like photographers and videographers are present at real fashion shows, they will be part of the play, both shooting real pictures and footage for later use and helping to create the sense of the modern fashion world.

Taylor submitted a rather lengthy proposal and hopes to eventually develop the play into a feature film. “What we do now will set up a space where that is possible,” she said at the organizational meeting. She also discussed promotional Internet and social media campaigns, photo exhibitions, exclusive parties and other spinoffs. Social media will use the hashtag #marystuartproject.

She realizes her plans are ambitious, but she is not backing out on the essential element: the already scheduled performances at Divadlo Kolowrat. “Come hell or high water we are doing these four shows. Otherwise we are letting someone down,” she said.

She said she wanted her proposal to be something really different and is extremely grateful for all the invaluable support she is getting from Prague Shakespeare Company.

The project is a way of bringing together professionals from various disciplines who wouldn’t normally get the opportunity to work together in a collaborative setting. Taylor said she was “flattered and honored” that so many people wanted to be involved.

Actress Ashe Kazanjian said she was drawn to the project by Taylor and her ability to work in both film and theater in the Czech Republic. “I like the multimedia aspect of being able to experiment with film and theater simultaneously, and to work with fashion and choreography,” she said.

She has experience as an actress and studied at the Tisch School of the Arts at New York

University. She said she hopes not only to learn about other artistic disciplines but also about herself.

Another actor, Jared Doreck, will also have a pivotal role. He said he wanted a chance to work with the “good minds” that Taylor had brought together. He also liked the source material. “It will be fun to explore the issues of women in power,” he said. Both Kazanjian and Doreck have been in previous PSC productions.

Dagmar Jegerová is one of the actors for whom this project is potentially a big break. She has a role as one of the fashion models in House of Tudor. She has performed in a few productions at Studio Hrdinů in the National Gallery space at Veletržní palác and wants to get more exposure.

Jegerová auditioned for a role in a play in Prague Shakespeare Company’s regular season but didn’t

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get it. Eventually she did a call back to see if she would be interested in the workshop. She was, and she sees playing a model as a challenging role. It isn’t the same as modeling. The character has to follow a strict choreography of movements and also rely on some physical theater skills.

“It’s a big step. I have learned a lot already,” she said. “The role is more in the realm of acting or dance than modeling.”

With a height of 170 cm, she just makes the unofficial lower limit for a model, but a lot of acting is pretending. She added that a real model probably wouldn’t be interested in doing all the work that goes into putting on a production like this one, and an actress is what is called for.

While the audience mainly sees actors and actresses, much of the production work is behind the scenes in developing the show concept, running the technical aspects and promoting the show via social media.

Paul Dean, who is the director of photography for the video parts, said that as a freelancer he looks for a balance between paying projects and projects like the workshop, which instead offer an opportunity to develop his talent and make new contacts.

He said he had a theater background and found the concepts in this project to be quite challenging.

One thing he is interested in is having the

Acc

reditations:

Memberships:

Think globalAccredited degrees from the US, EU, UK

Practical and critical thinking orientationInternational faculty and student body www.unyp.cz

EDUCATING TOMORROW’S LEADERS

Bachelor I Master I MBA I LL.M I Ph.D

Global_inzerce_PraguePost_204x67mm_Generic.indd 1 18.11.14 15:04videographers work with a choreographer and director, as they can’t be in the way of the actors or the audience. He also hopes to learn more about other disciplines such as fashion by having to cooperate with people during the project.

Choreographer Carli Jefferson said she was drawn to the project for its themes, as she is interested

in the historical character of Mary Stuart and the concept of “womanness.”

She is looking forward to the challenge of making the historical drama more modern and present. “The idea of public shaming and rumors still persists,” she said.

The characters in the play are forced into a situation where one group has to win and one has to lose, but life shouldn’t have to be that way, she added.

Another element she hopes to explore is that some of the characters have status but in the end are so powerless.

There are still some very limited opportunities to get involved in the behind-the-scenes aspects of the Mary Stuart Winter 2015 workshop, and people should contact eric@pragueshakespeare.org.

People interested in working with PSC on a long-term basis should send a CV with a cover letter to jobs@pragueshakespeare.cz

We believe it is vital to

nurture artists outside of the

pressures of fully produced

main stage productions. These

workshops allow for a creative

freedom and uninhibited level

of artistic expression.

“

”

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TEXT KATERINA NOSOVAFOR THE POST

Are you a student who is interested in traveling? Is making new friends around the world your dream or do you desire to learn new languages? There is a good opportunity that lets

you change your life for at least six months with the European Union’s Erasmus + program.

The idea to eliminate borders between students from different European countries came in 1987. The program was overhauled into Erasmus+ earlier this year, and guidelines for participating in 2015 have just been published.

Erasmus, which originally stood for European Region Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students, is a student study program that gives the possibility for students from different European countries to study in Europe and beyond for six months, and in some cases it can be prolonged to 12 months.

There is a variety of universities students can choose from, and the choice can be more geared toward the country the student prefers to visit. Of course, the great atmosphere of staying and new interesting people from different parts of the world is an undeniable benefit.

If you are interested in doing part of your studies

ERASMUS STUDENTS IN PRAGUE. COURTESY PHOTO

EU PROGRAM GIVES STUDENTS THE CHANCE TO TRAVEL

ERASMUS OPENS EUROPE’S DOORS

THE PRAGUE POST SCHOOLS & EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT, WINTER 2014 www.praguepost.com 9

abroad, you should first contact your own university to find out what options are available to you, according to an EU fact sheet. Over 4,000 higher institutions participate in the Erasmus+ program across 33 countries: all 28 EU countries plus Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Turkey and Macedonia.

“When you go abroad to study via Erasmus+, you won’t need to pay registration or tuition fees to your host university. You will also receive an EU grant toward your living and travel expenses. Once completed, your home university must recognize your period of study abroad as counting toward your degree, provided you complete the study program agreed in advance of your exchange,” the fact sheet states.

The program now allows for postgraduate work. “Erasmus+ gives you the chance to enroll in a postgraduate degree program jointly offered by universities based in different countries, sometimes even outside Europe. Scholarships are also available for partnerships with universities from around the world, allowing European students to study in non-EU countries and vice-versa,” the EU states.

Students who participate are generally enthusiastic. Alexis Delannoy, an Erasmus student who came to Prague from France, describes the program as “meetings with people from everywhere, and it is also the best life that we can live.”

A Czech-based student who went to Greece, Valeria Kodolova, finds the program “very helpful for broadening your mind, meeting interesting people

ERASMUS STUDENTS IN PRAGUE. COURTESY PHOTO

ERASMUS OPENS EUROPE’S DOORS

from all over the world and enjoying the cultural environment of the country where you go.”

There are also opportunities for professors to use the exchange to share the experience and to get inspiration for the next working semester.

The program is sponsored by the European Union, and Erasmus students get a scholarship to cover living costs abroad. The amount of money students receive corresponds to the average living expenses in the country they have chosen. The program does not demand any additional fees from the student during the application process.

Erasmus students can be provided with an accommodation at dormitories. Frequently, there is a list of dorms they can choose from. Students who are in the program with some friends can sometimes rent a flat in advance.

Before departure it is better to become acquainted with the living conditions the hosting university offers. Aside from official information on EU websites, there are unofficial social media sites dedicated to the program where students can exchange experiences, discuss related topics and look for housing and roommates.

I found myself at a period when I needed to get inspiration, to understand what I want from my future life and profession. I knew that Prague, this amazing city, its streets, where the time has stopped, would really help me. I was not mistaken...

“

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EU PROGRAM GIVES STUDENTS THE CHANCE TO TRAVEL

Through the program, students can make their own study plan and choose subjects they consider the most useful and interesting. Before leaving, students need to sign a Learning Agreement, which describes the programs and includes all the details.

Erasmus in Prague

Prague is an attractive place for tourists from all over the world and is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. It is worth visiting, thanks to its atmosphere of old, narrow streets, and getting acquainted with Prague’s legends and mystical places. It attracts students as well.

French student Alexis preferred Prague to

Scandinavian countries. “It was cheap, and I could do more things,” he said.

Vera, a young Ukrainian woman from a Polish university, found the city the best place to get an emotional boost. “I found myself at a period when I needed to get inspiration, to understand what I want from my future life and profession. I knew that Prague, this amazing city, its streets, where the time has stopped, would really help me. I was not mistaken,” she said.

For more information about the program, visit http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/index_en.htm

MORE THAN 60 PERCENT OF ERASMUS STUDENTS HAVE BEEN FEMALE.

PHOTO: EU

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Your guide to studying abroad

As an EU citizen, you are entitled to study at any EU university under the same conditions as nationals, although entry conditions vary in each country. You may also have the chance to do part

of your studies abroad or complete a traineeship in a company through the Erasmus+ program. �is guide gives an overview of the options available and what you need to know before you leave.

University abroad – entry conditions, fees and grants

Entry conditions vary signi�cantly between countries, so be sure to �nd out about the higher education system in the country you wish to study in before you leave home. Although you cannot be refused access to training or education in another EU country on the grounds of nationality, you may have to take a language test in some EU countries to show your knowledge of the language of

your chosen country.

Attending university is free in some countries, while in others it can be expensive. If the university in the EU country of your choice is non–fee paying, you will not have to pay either. In any event,

you cannot be charged higher fees than nationals of that country. You are also entitled to the same grants to cover course fees.

As far as maintenance grants and loans are concerned, some countries award these to foreign students, but you are not automatically entitled to them (except if you have been living in the

country for �ve years or more). Ask the ministries of education for more information.

Traineeships, vocational education and training and research

Traineeships and work placements are a good way of adding to your CV. A traineeship abroad could help you learn a language or work skills that you might not be able to develop at home. If you’re a

student, you may be able to go on an Erasmus+ exchange traineeship in a company.

If you are in vocational education or training or have just �nished training and want to develop your skills further by going abroad, then the Erasmus+ program may provide �nancial support. EU

researchers can also take up training and employment positions funded by national scholarships and grants, even if they are not a citizen or resident of that country.

Source: European Union’s Your Europe website

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TEXT MARA NATALEFOR THE POST

“Guys, I did it! I did the top-off,” I excitedly told my companions. They politely told me that in London they just called it topping off, a process of loading money onto a reusable public

transportation pass called an Oyster card.

Londoners are very strict about their public transportation dues, much stricter than Prague. My study abroad program here in Prague, CIEE, purchased my student pass for the semester before my arrival. This pass has not been checked since I got here Sept. 2. Meanwhile in London, everyone pays for every trip they take through the tube. It is hard to compare my experience with that of my London-residing friends. Public transportation is not the only thing exorbitantly priced.

Everyone always told me how expensive things in London are, but it’s hard to wrap your mind around it until you’re throwing down £16 (around 550 Kč) for a plate of fish and chips and a pint (tasty fish and chips, but still). Prague was certainly a friendlier choice on the wallet.

Going out is different too. People stay out later in Prague according to my observations. One of my friends, Jillian, said because the trains stop running around midnight, it’s hard for her to stay in the main part of town where bars are potentially open past that time. I might have to wait half an hour, but the night trams are always there for me. Also traveling to a friend’s temporary home made me think of the shocking things I’ve quickly become accustomed to living with, like indoor smoking. When I first arrived in Prague, I thought it was the strangest thing, but then I went to London and was confused when people were rolling cigarettes outside. It’s interesting point on how quickly habits seem normal.

LonDon pubs are More expensive than those in prague. PHOTO: WIKIPEDIA

PRAGUE VERSUS LONDON A STUDENT COMPARES STUDYING ABROAD IN TWO EUROPEAN CAPITALS.

THE PRAGUE POST SCHOOLS & EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT, WINTER 2014 www.praguepost.com 13

prague’s night traMs aLLow stuDents to stay in the center of the city Later.

PHOTO: WIKIPEDIA

London does have some benefits, though. It’s a much bigger city than Prague. This means more museums, more theaters, more places to see. And all the theater shows are in English! Also for some students, like Jillian, the language barrier is too daunting an undertaking. I knew I wanted to go somewhere that didn’t speak English so I could challenge myself. After all, I’ll be just as capable of navigating.

London for short weekends later in life. Granted, I’ve only picked up enough Czech to order food and sometimes get directions, but it’s better than nothing. That is one advantage that Americans abroad in London have over me. There are times I just have

to work my way through sometimes, but I am slightly envious of the ability to coherently ask for directions whenever I want to.

People are different. Cities are different. I’m not trying to rank the two, just discuss the differences. I am happy with my choice of Prague though, and I enjoy its quaint charms and cheap public transport. the LonDon pubLic transportation systeM is

expensive, anD paying is harD to avoiD. PHOTO: WIKIPEDIA

A STUDENT COMPARES STUDYING ABROAD IN TWO EUROPEAN CAPITALS.

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DON’T FORGET TO ASK FOR A

SIGN FOR AN ISIC DISCOUNT. COURTESY PHOTO

discountISIC OFFERS DEALS ON A LOT MORE THAN SCHOOL BOOKS AND MUSEUM

ENTRY

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TEXT KATERINA NOSOVA

One good part of being a student is having access to a wide variety of student discounts. However, not all students know about the places where they can get deals while shopping or

traveling abroad.

To get access to many of the discounts, you need to prove that you are a student, and one of the most accepted ways is by having an International Student Identity Card, or ISIC, which confirms your status. Even though the last C in ISIC stands for card already, many people call it an ISIC card.

Most universities, student organizations and educational centers throughout the world recognize the card. It provides students with broader opportunities in the educational sphere. For instance, students can find a special offer to take an expensive IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test with a substantial discount or get access to an online course in English for free.Obtaining the card is relatively easy once you can prove you are a full-time student and obtain a photo and proof of identity.

Overall, you can access 42,000 benefits in 125,000 locations in 130 countries worldwide. The ISIC website lists many of them, and you can sort by category and location. A free app can also be downloaded to help you locate places that accept the card.

Discounted access to museums and high-culture events are among the obvious benefits. Magazine subscriptions, both for paper and digital versions, are also common. Travel guide books can also be found, as well as guided tours.

In Prague, at least one computer store offers up to 50 percent off on computer service and substantial discounts on new purchases, which can come in handy if your laptop suddenly dies during exam week. Bicycle service can also be found for two-wheel commuters.

Some international food and beverage chains are commonly known for participating, but

some students might overlook the range of local restaurants and eateries that give a substantial discount of two pizzas for the price of one or even two cocktails for the price of one.

Entertainment discounts in Prague, for example, go beyond theater tickets to include paintball rental, laser games and a flying lesson. If you want to start a band, musical instrument rentals can be found. Some small venues even give a student discount if you want to rent the hall for a concert for your

friends.

Numerous places give student discounts for hairdos, manicures and cosmetics. Clothing vendors that accept the card range from vendors of ski outfits to lingerie. Even plush toys can be found.

The most recent innovation from the ISIC Association is a combination ISIC and debit or credit card for MasterCard. The ISIC MasterCard for students is available in 30

countries and can be used in many more where the standard ISIC is recognized.

Do not hesitate to ask about the possibility of using it in order to get a discount, or check the international website to find many more savings. The cost of the card corresponds to the officially determined price in each country but usually does not exceed $25. Students can apply for the card at the university, special educational centers or online at the special website.

To find more information about ISIC card please visit:http://www.isic.org/.

AN ISIC FOR A CZECH STUDENT. PHOTO: WIKIPEDIA

Overall, you can access 42,000 bene�ts in

125,000 locations in 130 countries worldwide.

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TEXT THE CZECH NEWS AGENCY

Together with her colleagues, Czech programmer Dita Přikrylová, 25, from Citov, north Moravia, organizes free IT workshops for women to refute the myth that this is a field for men only, weekly

Respekt reported.

She and her friends held the first IT seminar in Brno in late November 2013, which was met with enormous interest. They consequently extended the offer of issues and started organizing workshops, under the name Czechitas, in Prague as well.

At present, women can learn how to create their own logos and business cards in the courses and go through the basics of programming and algorithmization, Přikrylová explained.

She said the workshops should attract more women to IT.

“Women work in IT, and they are successful, but there are very few of them. Yet they can think logically in the same way as men and moreover, they have a stronger sense of aesthetics,” she told Respekt.

Asked why so few women work in IT, she said she believes women often succumb to the stereotype according to which IT is a male affair. They must also be very self-confident to break through in this field that is dominated by men, she added.

However, women are in fact not discriminated against if they work there, she said, citing her own experience.

CZECH PROGRAMMER ORGANIZES FREE IT WORKSHOPS FOR WOMEN

women

Dita Přikrylová organizeD it workshoPs for women. Photo: CzeChitas / faCebook

More

learning IT

THE PRAGUE POST SCHOOLS & EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT, WINTER 2014 www.praguepost.com 17

Přikrylová is against a possible introduction of quotas for women in IT, and she says she would instead like to motivate women in her workshops not to fear entering this field.

Any woman, regardless of her age and education, can participate in the Czechitas workshops. The only condition is that participants bring their own laptops.

However, capacity is limited, and this is why the women who present their own ideas with which they need help — for instance, to promote their own

women More

learning IT

firms or products —have a better chance of being admitted, Přikrylová said.

The free courses are sponsored by various IT firms that can get space to promote their products or themselves as potential employers, Přikrylová said, adding that she covers a part of the costs from her own pocket.

The workshop trainers work free of charge, too. Most of them are men, but the number of female coaches has been rising, mainly in graphics workshops, she noted.

“I believe it is meaningful and needed. If I see our trainees enroll at a college focused on IT or get a job they wouldn’t even have dreamed of before, it makes me continue,” Přikrylová said.

She added that in the future they would like to offer special courses for women on maternity leave, secondary school graduates and maybe even younger girls.

“I can imagine one day we will have a training center for women only,” she concluded.

women learn it skills in a workshoP. Photo: CzeChitas / faCebook

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TEACHING KIDS TO UNDERSTAND IN

DEPTHI

ndependent thinking, approaching things from new viewpoints,

understanding them in depth. These are main principles Prague Duhovka schools guide their pupils to. It is a comprehensive set of follow-up schools providing Montessori-based education to kids aged between 1-19 years. The system currently includes “toddler program” for the youngest (1-3 years), two preschools, an elementary and an eight-year high school. Tuition is bilingual at all levels – under the guidance of Czech and English native speakers, holders of internationally-recognized certificates in Montessori method.

What is Montessori magic?

It is a legacy of a famous Italian teacher and scientist Maria Montessori, who – a hundred years ago - asserted breakthrough tuition principles based mostly on individual approach to kids and maximum support of their natural curiosity. Montessori teacher is not an authoritative figure one-sidedly managing tuition, but a partner, or even better a coach, who helps them get to know new things, acquire knowledge, perceive in context and, above all, comprehend in depth via demonstrations and mistakes.

“Our goal is to create stimulating environment in which kids have the courage to express themselves, grow and take responsibility for their decisions. We want to be a school where kids do not fear to ask or make mistakes,” Ivana Janečková, the co-author of the project and its manager, describes the philosophy of Duhovka.

Duhovka Group schools:

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Lenka Siváková has been teaching Czech for foreigners for four years. She did a certified course in Czech as a foreign language at the Pedagogical Faculty in Pilsen (Plzeň) where she also studied

Czech language and psychology. She taught Czech for foreigners in the Czech Republic as well as abroad. Within a year-lasting internship at the “Czech School Without Borders in Paris”, she began her research on teaching Czech to bilingual children. This September, she started her own project, Czech Under Control, which teaches Czech as a second language to children with help of experiential education.

In your opinion, what is the main difference between teaching Czech for foreigners – adults and foreigners – children?

The difference is not as significant as it can seem. Also adults can be taught through games and various activities, which have to be tailored for the different age group, of course. The children´s advantage is their enhanced ability to acquire language. However, the child´s psyche is very fragile so it might be more difficult for a child than an adult to deal with a new situation, which could result in them being hostile to the new environment.

How about just relying on the fact that if the child is surrounded by Czech speaking people he/she learns a lot by him/herself?

Yes, children can acquire a language naturally by listening and repeating. The older the child is, the more difficult it gets and the longer it takes. Moreover, they acquire what they hear around them so they don´t learn the correct form. For the child, the Czech speaking environment is often his/her school but there are not many opportunities for the child to be shown or explained fundamental matters; on the contrary, the language in the classroom is way more complicated. A foreigner needs to fill in the gap between his/her level and the level of his/her classmates.

Acquiring a language naturally is much more probable in kindergarten where also Czech children are at the beginning of learning about the world around them. However, I have also encountered problems with small children as well, it´s always a matter of the kindergarten´s approach. It means that when a child goes to a Czech school, he/she won´t learn Czech there?

During ordinary lessons where there are 30 pupils in a classroom with one teacher, there is no time to fill in the gaps. The good thing is that some schools are aware of what foreigners need, designing prep courses and additional Czech lessons for them. Unfortunately, there are not many and they often lack a trained teacher. That is why we also cooperate with schools.

How long does it take for a child to acquire Czech to what you would call sufficient level?

It takes approximately five to seven years for a child to acquire a new language to the extent that he/she understands the specific language of school subjects and fine language nuances in literature or in verbal humour. It is good for him/her to continue learning at his/her own pace, not getting stuck at the stage of “I can make myself understood and that´s enough for me” as it can become a problem later on.

So what are the aspects of language you focus your attention on? Grammar? Pronunciation?

Children learn both at our courses. The most important thing is, however, that we don´t only teach the language, we deal with a whole complex of needs of a child who lives in a foreign country. The child needs to understand and to be understood – to describe the things around him/her, express his/her feelings and needs. Then gradually, he/she deals with grammar and spelling. What is no less important is creating a safe and warm environment so they know that they are not alone and that they can have fun also when speaking Czech. And the positive approach towards the new culture and language is the prerequisite for the child to be able to integrate it in his/her life. Can you describe what happens at your courses? What can a three-year old or a nine-year old expect?

The children are active. We learn by describing what we are doing during arts and crafts, by doing drama, getting our bodies moving, saying stories, playing games, reading fairy tales… children participate in designing the lessons and we always progress at their pace. With three year-olds, we use pictures, simple games, songs, nursery rhymes, they learn by listening and imitating. With the older kids, we play more sophisticated games and do more complicated activities to suit their age and interests. At the same time, the older children learn to write, read and understand a text in Czech.

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STUDENTS GRADUATING FROM THE KATZ EMBA PROGRAM.COURTESY PHOTO

EXECUTIVE MBA PROGRAM IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC CLIMBS IN RANKING

TEXT NEWS DESK

In the 2014 global EMBA rankings by the Financial Times, the Executive MBA Worldwide program of the University of Pittsburgh’s Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business jumped to No. 19 in the United

States, up from No. 22 last year. Overall, the Katz EMBA Worldwide program moved up to No. 53 in the world, up from No. 57 the previous year.

The Katz EMBA Worldwide program remained the No. 1 EMBA program in the Czech Republic and one of the Top 25 in Europe, ahead of other European schools such as Antwerp Management School, Rotterdam School of Management (Erasmus) and Vienna University.

“The progress shown by the Katz EMBA Worldwide program in the rankings is a validation of our strong track record in helping graduates to reach new heights in their careers,” John T. Delaney, dean of

Pitt Business, said in a press release.

“One of the primary reasons we offer this return on investment is the depth and richness of our global experience. Our students have the opportunity to thoroughly immerse themselves in the business culture of three different continents and to grow their network by working alongside a talented group of international peers,” he added.

According to the Financial Times, graduates of the Katz EMBA Worldwide program saw their salary increase an average of 37 percent within three years of graduation, which is the highest increase among EMBA programs in Europe.

“We are very pleased by this year’s ranking results. They prove the outstanding return on investment of our program, a program taught entirely in English by U.S. faculty members flying to Prague to deliver each course. Our students who come from the Czech Republic and many other European countries get

KATZ EMBA IN EUROPE’STop 20

THE PRAGUE POST SCHOOLS & EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT, WINTER 2014 www.praguepost.com 2121

the same experience and the same degree as if they would study directly in the United States, and a strong global network that opens many doors,” said Ivana Goossen, director for Katz’s EMBA Worldwide program in Europe.

Established in 1972, the Katz EMBA Worldwide program is offered in three locations simultaneously — Pittsburgh, São Paulo and Prague — where students learn as a single cohort, taught by Katz professors. The program offers Global Executive Forums in which students travel to each location to complete classroom modules, networking activities and business immersion experiences.

In the 2014 Financial Times rankings, the top EMBA program in the world was the Trium Global EMBA, offered by New York University’s Stern School of Business, the London School of Economics and Political Science, and the HEC School of Management Paris. In fact, each of the top five programs was offered jointly by more than one school.

The Katz EMBA Worldwide program, in contrast, offers the perspectives of three different continents without being a joint venture. In the Financial Times rankings, the Katz EMBA Worldwide program was ranked ahead of Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, Temple University Fox School of Business and Management, Texas A&M University Mays Business School, Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business and Boston University’s School of Management.

Among U.S. public institutions, the Katz EMBA Worldwide program climbed to No. 6, up from No. 8 last year. Overall, the Katz EMBA Worldwide program moved up to No. 53 in the world, up from No. 57 last year.

The 2014 Financial Times rankings account for the world’s Top 100 programs for senior-level working managers. In total, 134 programs from 32 countries took part in the ranking process, including 17 programs offered jointly by more than one school.

The Financial Times ranking methodology is based on 16 different factors, five of which relate to alumni, eight to the school, and three to faculty and research. The alumni data, for example, collects information on salary, salary increase, career progress, work experience, and aims achieved. Each institution must be accredited by either AACSCB International or the European Equis accreditation bodies to even be considered for the rankings.

In addition to the Financial Times ranking, the Katz EMBA Worldwide program was ranked No. 53 in The Economist’s 2013 global EMBA rankings. In the U.S., the program was ranked No. 32 among all universities and No. 13 among public universities.

The Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business with the University of Pittsburgh is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the United States. With an annual enrollment of over 35,000 students, the university is a key center of scientific research, offering more than 400 different study programs across 16 schools of study.

The Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business is one of the most important schools of the University of Pittsburgh. It is led by world-renowned, widely cited professors. Katz’s EMBA Worldwide program in Prague, the highest-rated program in the Czech Republic, offers management education for the whole CEE region and aims to prepare experienced managers for the role of global leaders. It is accredited by AACSB International, the internationally recognized gold standard of business school certification.

Edited from a Katz press release

U Uranie 14, 170 00 Praha 7www.oegp.cz; info@oegp.cz

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TEXT THE CZECH NEWS AGENCY

Romas are still discriminated against at Czech schools, NGOs said in a joint statement initiated by the Open Society Fund Prague and released Nov. 13 on the occasion of the seventh anniversary

of the European Human Rights Court’s verdict on the issue.

The court ruled that the placing of Roma children without a mental disability diagnosis in special

— now practical — schools designed for the slightly mentally disabled in the Czech Republic is discriminatory.

The Education Ministry challenges the NGOs’ statement, saying it has continuously supported the education of Roma children in a number of programs.

Six organizations, including Amnesty International, European Roma Rights Centre, Human Rights League, IQ Roma servis and Mutual Cohabitation,

One-third of students in practical schools are Roma, but they are just 3 percent of population

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A ROMA INDIVIDUAL WITH A ROMA FLAG AT A PARADE IN PRAGUE. PHOTO: WALTER NOVAK

ROMAS STILL DISCRIMINATED AGAINST AT CZECH SCHOOLS

www.praguepost.com 23

point out that even seven years after the breakthrough verdict of the Strasbourg court, one-third of children attending practical school are Romas.

However, Romas make up only 3 percent of the inhabitants of the 10.5 million people in the Czech Republic.The NGOs say Roma children are segregated from their peers at regular primary schools as well.

“Schools or classes known as ‘Romany’ exist in many municipalities, while 500 meters away there are other schools attended mainly by children from the rest of society,” the NGOs write.

Education Minister Marcel Chládek (ČSSD) said in a statement sent to the Czech News Agency that his office was continuously supporting the education of Roma children.

The ministry’s programs of subsidies are focused on the funding of assistants to teachers in classes with disabled and socially disadvantaged students, on the Roma community’s integration and on support to Roma students from excluded families at secondary and vocational schools.

Chládek also said all children should have access to pre-school education and nurseries. This is why he wants to push through the introduction of an obligatory year of pre-school education prior to the primary school attendance.

The Education Ministry expects an amendment to the school law to improve the approach to children with special teaching needs as it will introduce supportive tailor-made measures according to individual problems.

However, some experts warn that a vague formulation of one article of the bill might, on the contrary, cause children without a mental disorder to be placed in practical schools once again. The ministry rejects these fears.

The European Commission also dealt with this issue in September. It asked the Czech Republic for information about the alleged discrimination against Roma children in the country’s educational system. The NGOs point out that the Czech Republic might face sanctions.

In reaction to the EC objections, the Education Ministry said these were aimed at the current law that had been drafted by the previous government.

We cordially invite you to come and visit our school campuses during our

www.parklane-is.com

Open DayThursday 20th November 2014, from 9:00 till 14:00Nessie English Preschool & Park Lane International School

– for children from 2 years old

– vibrant learning environment

– state-of-the-art resources and technology

– extensive Czech programme

You will have the opportunity to tour the school guided by our pupils, visiting lessons and seeing the school in action. Our members of staff will be available to answer any questions you may have, so please do not hesitate to ask. Should you wish to do so, you will be able to use our shuttle bus between the school campuses.We look forward to welcoming you to our school!

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ANGLO-AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IS ON THE

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THE NUMBER OF FOREIGN STUDENTS IN TTHURN AND TAXIS PALACE WILL BE THE NEW CAMPUS FOR ANGLO-AMERICAN UNIVERSITY.

COURTESY PHOTOS

PRIVATE UNIVERSITY WILL HEAD TO PALATIAL NEW SETTING

TEXT RAUSHAN ZHUBANOVA

Anglo-American University, the oldest private university in the Czech Republic, is moving house – or rather “palace” – to provide its students with better facilities already for the Spring

2015 semester.

“AAU is proud to announce that the formal administrative approval of the building is scheduled for Dec. 16, 2014. Therefore, AAU will proceed with the move to the Thurn and Taxis Palace on Letenská 5 by the end of the year. Officially, we will welcome students to the new campus at the beginning of the spring semester 2015,” said marketing director of AAU Dana Kucejová.

move

THE PRAGUE POST SCHOOLS & EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT, WINTER 2014 www.praguepost.com 25

UNIVERSITY TEACHING POSITIONS IN SAUDI ARABIA (ENGLISH)

A public research-based university accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education invites qualified applicants for the Sept. 2014 to June 2015 academic year. Assistant Professor (PhD) - Faculty of Arts & Humanities English Language Instructors & Lecturers (MA) - English Language Center Preferred majors of candidates: English, Applied Linguistics, TEFL/TESL, Literature Desirable qualifications: TESOL, CELTA or DELTA BENEFITS: competitive tax-free salaries (negotiable) based on qualifications and experience employment visas and authorized work permits (iqamas) for single or family status accommodations or annual housing allowance monthly transportation allowance health coverage at government health facilities annual summer vacation (60 days) with round-trip airfare (applicant and up to 3 dependants) children's tuition reimbursement vacation breaks (3 holidays of about 10 days each) professional development opportunities end-of-contract service package (after 2 years) CONTACT: Recruitment Committee English Language Center (ELC) Jazan University Jazan, Saudi Arabia Phone / Fax: (966) 173235046 Email: elc-job@jazanu.edu.sa or elcjazan@gmail.com Visit: www.jazanu.edu.sa

Please note only qualified short-listed candidates will be selected to continue in the recruitment process. In the event that we wish to arrange a personal Skype interview, we will contact you by email, phone or via Skype.

trip airfare (applicant and up to 3 dependants)

The newly reconstructed Thurn and Taxis Palace, a historical building no less valuable than the current AAU campus at Lázeňská street, is located in Malá Strana, only a few meters from the AAU library. The palace passed through many hands over the past few hundred years before being given a Neoclassical refurbishment by the Thurn and Taxis family in 1814. The building had been abandoned for several years before AAU chose it as its new campus.

The main reason for such a move is to accommodate a rapidly growing student body. “AAU has provided premium private education for 25 years, and currently hosts students from more than 60 countries around the world; we want to provide them with the most upscale and modern campus available, while keeping our location in the beautiful and historic Malá Strana,” Kucejová said.

The new building will offer many new facilities to provide an even better student experience at AAU. “The new premises will offer 20 fully equipped classrooms and three times the space for our student body. The students can look forward to a brand new cafeteria as well as a modern student lounge for studying and socializing.

Furthermore, free space for extracurricular activities and events will be made available, and will allow for more academic interaction and growth. All students will have access to the neighboring Wallenstein gardens, highlighting the exclusivity of AAU’s new location,” Kucejová said.

The current AAU campus located in Lázeňská street limits the university’s ability to offer top-notch education to its students. Journalism students of the spring 2014 class, Gamze Ozturk and Kryštof Laube covered the move in AAU’s student newspaper At the Lennon Wall. “The poor Wi-Fi connections and overcrowded classes of recent years should be resolved in the new building. … And a needed renovation in technology infrastructure at AAU’s current home, including Internet or electricity, would mean a substantial investment,” they wrote.

According to Kucejová, the current campus in Lázeňská will be abandoned completely and the facility will probably be rented out to new tenants. This is completely under the charge of the Knights of Malta, which own the building, according to Kucejová.

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The university’s other key priority this year is their road to Western Association of Schools and Colleges’ (WASC) accreditation, which potentially could be granted as early as 2016. The accreditation body was at the university in April and September.

Should all stages of the five-to-seven year process be completed successfully, the university would become the first outside the United States to have this particular accreditation, which is the same one used in the western part of the United States at leading universities such as Stanford and Berkeley.

Jennifer Day contributed to this report

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TEXT THE CZECH NEWS AGENCY

The Slovak parliament on Oct. 29 banned the sales of sweets, sweetened drinks and other unhealthy foods at schools by the votes of the ruling Social Democrats (Smer-SD) of Prime Minister Robert Fico,

justifying the move as an effort to reduce obesity.

The bill, which has been criticized by food makers, is yet to be signed by President Andrej Kiska. It will take effect next January.

Besides the items mentioned above, schools will no longer offer fast food, ice cream, food with a high content of salt and not even baked goods, with some exceptions, all of which are products that have been commonly offered at schools.

According to a previous poll, about one in every seven Slovak children between the ages of 11 and 15 suffers from obesity, which is even more widespread among the adult population.

The Slovak Food Chamber has claimed that similar restrictions approved in Hungary and Romania did not bring the desired effect, because the sales of junk food in the surroundings of the schools showed an increase.

Czech experts have also warned about the broad offer of sweets in school buffets and vending machines.

The Health Ministry has issued a list of recommended foods and drinks at schools.

CANDY AND JUNK FOOD WILL LIKELY VANISH FROM SLOVAK SCHOOLS. PHOTO: WIKIPEDIA

SLOVAKIA SOURS ON SWEETSPARLIAMENT BANS SALES OF SOME JUNK FOOD AT SCHOOLS

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