The mining region “Erzgebirge” unites Europe Erasmus Project

Project Title

The mining region “Erzgebirge” unites Europe

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : School Exchange Partnerships

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2018

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Teaching and learning of foreign languages; Cultural heritage/European Year of Cultural Heritage; Intercultural/intergenerational education and (lifelong)learning

Project Summary

Our within the previous two years carried out Erasmus project gratefully funded by the European Union with the title “The Montaneous Region Erzgebirge connects Europe” supported the school exchange between two European grammar schools in Germany and Estonia. Using the working language English as a lingua franca, the project made the linguistic and cultural dialogue between two different regions in Europe possible and even enhanced our working and personal relationships.
In every participating school, 14 motivated and interested pupils between the ages of 15 and 17 were chosen as candidates and representatives in the mobilities. These pupils were observed by two teachers or staff members of the German “Christoph-Graupner-Gymnasium” and Estonian “Kanepi Gümnaasium”. Naturally, more pupils and teachers from each school were included in the preparation and during the stays within the countries to strengthen our cooperation. This was carried out in various extra-curricular team building activities. We always aimed at an identification of the complete school with the Erasmus Project and finally benefitting from the advantages of such a cooperation.
Our aim was to bring the German and Estonian school communities closer together by working on a central topic ranged around mining. On the one hand mining traces back for centuries in our surrounding and many current developments are still closely linked to these traditions. On the other hand it was a very pressing topic in public life as our region applied for the recognition of being a world heritage site. Finally, even during project time the Erzgebirge was officially awarded by the Unesco Committee with the title “Unesco Weltkulturerbe – Montanregion Erzgebirge”. Otherwise we found parallels with our Estonian partner in this field of mining oil shale, sand and minerals used for beverage production.
In order to realise input into the presentations at the end, there were many trips and excursions running. With us in Germany, we visited typical mountain villages/towns, situated in the Erzgebirge – such as Schneeberg, Johanngeorgenstadt, Schwarzenberg and Annaberg – to discover and experience the history of mining. We went to several museums that tried to bring old traditions to life, created our own pewter ornaments or just enjoyed the lovely atmosphere at several Christmas markets that offered besides delicious food and drinks typical handcrafts of the region. Several students always had to prepare a part of each tour and functioned as guides.
Experiencing a country with fewer inhabitants than our capital, we were welcomed in Estonia by a very open-minded community with a unique landscape and culture as well as a Russian influence and a proud independent European country. We were guided through several facilities of the Luhamaa Border Crossing Point at the Estonian-Russian-Border or eastern border of the EU. Värska – a very important mineral water company offered us a tour and later all project members relaxed at Värska Spa strengthening our bond between the two schools. Several workshops and project presentations within an oil shale mine and at school completed the memories of our mobility.
Various digital presentations about the typicalities of the corresponding regions, in which the German and Estonian pupils live and learn were introduced. Similarities and differences of both regions were highlighted in many quizzes and self-designed mini-dictionaries. Each school hosted an art exhibition of student drawings from the other country. Within the school building we set up various billboards illustrating our impressions with photos and texts and making them available for a wider public. Each partner uploaded news on its school web page.
We are proud of our member-designed Erasmus web page summing up our project and its results (www.kirchberg-kanepi-united.eu).
All results should have a lasting influence on the school community in both European schools. As mentioned previously, both the group excursions and days of teamworking at school were supposed to contribute to reaching the set aims.
Additionally, the pupils experienced life in the host countries of their respective host families and therefore broadened their intercultural horizons. The use of English as a lingua franca enabled this form of accommodation to be an authentic chance in which the students could use their academic language skills in many situations and it proved to be a perfect idea.
As already outlined in the initial plan of the project on a long-term basis, we see the strengthening of the bilingual sector through the combination of theory and practice, and secondly through maintaining contact with another European grammar school. The project can be definitely seen as a tremendous success in this context. We hoped to see a great increase in the pupils’ motivation to learn languages in general, but particularly in learning English through living and experiencing how English can work as a language in the world of work. Reflecting this aspect of the project we are convinced of the advantages and contributions.
We were really glad to offer young people the unique chance of being active members in an Erasmus project.
We were overwhelmed by the positive feedback of students and parents alike and the motivational words given by mayors and the city councils about this partnership.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 40277 Eur

Project Coordinator

Christoph-Graupner-Gymnasium Kirchberg & Country: DE

Project Partners

• Kanepi Gümnaasium