THE KEY COMPETENCES OF A YOUNG EUROPEAN - LANGUAGE, CULTURE AND TRADITION. 31st December 2014 Zespol Szkol Samorzadowych in Rzyki joined the project of POWER ‘International Mobility for School Education’ under the Operational Programme of the Foundation for the Development of the Education System -Knowledge, Education, Development. The choice of countries - Malta and Portugal, where the training took place, was determined by their complementarity in terms of implementation of the main principles and objectives of the project. Teachers participated in mobility only once, so it was important to provide them with a sustainable level of training. The thing we found most important was providing a language training with the use of creative and stimulating methods. In addition, each of the organizers offered a similar type of training - focused on the development of linguistic, cultural and civic competence: "Malta -Family Folklore and Traditions", "Portugal Through Centuries - History, Culture, Education." During the course in both countries there were lectures, workshops focused on methodology, integration, language and even culinary skills. We visited educational institutions, places of worship, museums, open-air museums, parks. This combination has allowed to know the European culture in its various aspects. Geographical and cultural diversity of selected countries also allowed participants to compare different approaches to the same educational issues. The context of the project covers 3 areas: opening towards the English language, modern integrated teaching at the European level, communication in a multicultural society. THE MAIN AIM OF THE PROJECT The main aim of the project is to develop and acquire professional, social, linguistic and cultural competence of the participants. AIMS RELATING TO THE EUROPEAN KEY COMPETENCES 1. Raising the competence of the participants to effectively communicate in English. 2. Exploring the lives of other European nations, their history, culture, education, lifestyle, language. 3. The development of career and professional skills. Raising the level of practical skills relevant to the current job and improving lifelong learning skills. 4. The development of a sense of initiative and entrepreneurship. Giving satisfaction and joy with the results of one’s activities. 5. Learning new methods, approaches and techniques of teaching and working with students. 6. Learning openness, tolerance and respect for other beliefs, traditions and culture. Counteracting racism, xenophobia and discrimination. 7. Increasing the level of competence in the use of ICT and the use of IT tools. 8. Exchange of views and experiences with representatives of partner countries. NUMBER AND PROFILE OF PARTICIPANTS The project involved 18 primary school teachers, including the teachers of: integrated education, science, history, Polish language, computer science, English, a kindergarten teacher, a school psychologist and a headmaster. DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES 1. Recruitment of participants according to the rules of recruitment carried out in accordance with the principle of general availability. 2. Setting the date, destinations, training institutions and courses according to the objectives of the project. 3. Preparing formal documentation of the project. 4. Implementation of mobility. Each course contained the following elements: - The integration of participants - organizers assured participation in the training together with teachers from 3 European countries; - Implementation of specific tasks of the project - language classes with the use of creative and activating methods, ICT tools, educational trips; - Exchanging experience between foreign participants of mobility - "Work cafe"; - Evaluation and getting the certificate. 6. Implementing organizational, methodological and strategic solutions in our school which were acquired during mobility. 7. Promotion and propagation of results. 8. Continuation of international projects in accordance with the European development plan of our school RESULTS Going abroad has helped participants gain the skills impossible to obtain in the country , mainly intercultural experience , contact with everyday English and overcoming the language barrier , which led to a rapid increase of language skills compared to the effects of traditional learning courses. Competence - knowledge , skills , attitudes that have been acquired or raised by the participants of the project - especially related to development in terms of creativity , improvement of working methods , new methods and techniques of teaching and improving teamwork skills. LONG-TERM BENEFITS - http://www.zssrzyki.um.andrychow.pl/zssrzyki/erazmus.html - Using the resources of e - twinning and ICT tools; - Interest in learning the English language; - Developing open attitude to the world and respect and tolerance towards other nations.