The two lessons with the class, which has prepared presentations about Slovenia for the Geography lessons, were exceptional. The students have researched the theme and presented in German language. They mastered their presentations very well. We had a nice conversation about my views about Slovenia and its politics, geographical, historic and cultural features compared with the views and research that the students had done. Their geography teacher is Mr. Helmut Wagner. The students seemed to be used to research a theme by themselves, prepare presentations, work in groups and challenge their teachers. At the end of the lesson they expressed their wish to travel to Slovenia.
Afterwards they have been shown two more presentations about Ljubljana and Slovenia by me.
Excursions are also organised by the students with the help of their teacher Mr. Wagner. He is keen on encouraging students involvement, students responsibility for their learning and knowledge. As I have observed the schools orientation is towards braking political and mental boarders in their students minds, opening the horizons of the countries they are not used to travel, but can be the countries of their future cooperation and trade. Since they are a school oriented entirely into economic their responsibility is to show their students entirely new ways of communicating, trading, cooperation among different nations but stay at the same time well connected with the local industry and trade. The students at the school come from different social as well as national background and enrich each other with their knowledge about the South-Eastern Europe.
The next two lessons were in the class with the so-called global dimension, where students are encouraged to organise their excursions to the countries of their interest. They visited Zagreb and told me about their visit. We had a discussion comparing the two neighbouring countries Slovenia and Croatia. Students found the presentations of Slovenia, Ljubljana and our school quite interesting and were keen on discussing the two countries. I hope we will be able to see each other again. We developed an almost friendly working atmosphere.
In the afternoon Mr. Helmut Wagner And I visited the Vocational school for Wine and Fruit growing (Wein und Obstbau Schule). A pleasant walk through the cellar of the school and tasting of wine were part of experience everyone, who visits the region must have.
