. These holidays, we went on a three-day trip in Copenhagen.
Wednesday, Feb 17th: - Arrival CPH, hotel Danhostel - City Tour Bus/ Rundetaarn/ Strøget/ Town Hall Square
Thursday, Feb 18th: - The Little Mermaid - Amalienborg Castle/ Rosenborg Castle/
Friday, Feb 19th: - National Museum/Carlsberg Brewery
This trip was really amazing! Copenhagen is a wonderful city: there is plenty to do, there is plenty to see, you can get wathever you want... it's worth a visit!
But it was a pity that the weather was so bad: snow, snow and snow! We were cold and we couldn't see Tivoli or Fristaden Christiania.
I was really amazed that the water was freezed: the boats couldn't move anymore!
The Danish school system and comparative education
Our teacher is crazy but I like the way she teaches. She gives us the oportunity to think by ourself, to be creative and independant. And more, we learn about the education in Denmark and about how school is organized.
To illustrate it, we visited a secondary school.
What I have seen: - teachers don't use books but create their own material
- computers are everywhere. The students can use them when they need. - Students are allowed to stand up and eat in the classroom, they call the teacher by his/her first name.
- students are noisy but it doesn't disturb the teacher
- many pair works - no learning programme/tests/examinations
- relaxed atmosphere (lessons/staff room)
- no introduction/finish
After the visit, we went back to school and share our experience: we were all surprised by what we had seen. It's so different from our country. But here, the teachers follow the nature of the children, they think that the child can teach more than an adult.
First of all, I would like to say that the lessons here are really different from Belgium: we don't get any sheet, this is not very well-prepared (to my opinion of course) and in some classes, we are not very active and it's difficult to pay attention for 3 hours!But in other cases, I find these lessons really interesting because we learn about Haderslev and Denmark and it's an opportunity to speak and listen to English.
Some subjects...
Aesthetic learning processes
First we had to play in two groups and pass the ball as fast as possible. Then, the ball had to pass in less than 2 seconds and everybody had to touch it ...
This part of the lesson was really interesting because we managed to create a real team spirit between us.
The second part of the lesson was more theorical: it was interesting too but the last hour was difficult. Actually, sitting on a chair for three hours and paying attention is something I can't do...
But our teacher became aware that it was not easy for us...
Danish
Danish is a strange language ;) But I like to learn it: it's useful and a real challenge (the prononciation, the accent, etc) But after two weeks here, I am proud to be able to say=
ja= yes nej= no tak= thank you
Hej, jeg hedder Aurélie. Jeg kommer fra Belgium. Jeg taler fransk og lidt dansk!
And I can count until 10: en, to, tre, fire, fem, seks, syv, otte, ni, ti!
Some words are easy to remember because they look French or English: taxa, spinat, radio, musik, pizza, chokolade, kaffe, etc.
The Danish lessons are great because we are active and we can express ourself: there is a communicative atmosphere.
Art
I was really afraid because I can't really draw;) But I enjoyed: the activities were diversified and we don't need to be an artist to manage!
It's me: do you recognize my face? ;)
Storytellers-danish literature and film
During this lesson, I learnt more about a famous Danish artist: Andersen. On the one hand, I think that these lessons were interesting because we watched some films and it was more real than theory but on the other hand, it's a pity that this information was not made deeper...
I also liked the presentation of the other Erasmus students about their country: it was great to know more about their habits and culture.
History
I hope the next lesson will be more enjoyable and that we will learn more about the Danish history!
Danish and european stereotypes
Before coming here, I had some stereotypes about Danish people:
- technology - education awareness
- green/ecological
- tall, blond with blue eyes
But living here makes you realise that stereotypes are not part of the reality! It's true that Danish people really put an emphasize on school and education and their technology is more developed than in Belgium. But all the Danish people are not blond :) And they don't recycle or sort out their waste... I was really amazed!
We had to write some sentences about our own country. What I have said:
You know that I am Belgian because... - I drink a lot of Jupiller, Kriek and Peket.- I eat French Fries and the best chocolate in the world.- When I am abroad, I always compare the foreign country with my own one.- I am proud of Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters, the tennis players- I never talk about politics or football: it's the shame of Belgium ;)
Language and identity
This girl is me, the colours represent the language...
- Spanish in pink and in the heart because I would love to learn this language. - Dutch and English in the mouth and in red: these are the 2 languages that I have to teach. Red is a warm colour, a colour that makes you feel at ease.
- Orange is also a warm colour, just like French, my mother tongue. - Danish in green because it's the colour of hope and I really wish to learn and speak this language.
"My Poem"
Green In the nature I feel relax Pure
I find this activity really intersting because we can do it with our pupils. For example, in secondary school, students know different language such as French/English/Dutch...
In Belgium, we have also Muslim students or teenagers from different part of Europe.
So why not?
We are a funny and interesting group! It's great to meet people from different countries and learn about their own culture, habits, etc.
It's also super to party with them! We usually meet at the Friday Café, the bar of the university: there you can drink a delicious blackbird or play babyfoot :) But we also meet at other places such as our own flats, etc.
Time to go back school! The lessons began on February 1st until April 30th. This day, while some Erasmus students go back home, some of us stay here for one more month! Actually we have a teaching practice in secondary school for a month: I am a little bit afraid!
This our university! It's a great place to study: really modern, nice teachers, etc.
This is really different from our Belgian ones:
- students call the teacher by his/her first name. - schedule are not the same every day or every week. Actually the breaks are not at the same time everyday and the lessons don't last 2 hours but 1hour or 1 hour and a half or even 45 minutes. - each class has a smartboard, there are many rooms with computers. - the library is really huge.
Snow snow and snow!It's beautiful and fun for the children but so dangerous for us, the Belgian girls! Two weeks in Haderslev and we already felt on the ground...We are really looking forward to seeing some sun and maybe have a paddle in the lake. Now it's still frozen...
Sophie and I are from Belgium: we have known each other for 3 years, we are in the same High School and we decided to live this unique experience together! We tried to decorate the flat and personalize it so it's more comfortable!
Praestegade, 18! This the street and the flat where we live! It's a nice place situating near the lake, the school and the shopping centre: we are very lucky!
Haderslev is a lovely city! There you can find a shopping street, some supermarkets, a post office, a swimming pool, etc.Even if we don't have any car, it's easy to go shopping, buy some food, etc because everything is so close to our flat. It's a nice place to live and to study : it's peaceful!
Haderslev is a city in the South of Denmark. Its population is 21,435. Haderslev is situated in a valley, leading from Vojens to Haderslev Fjord and the Baltic Sea. The city was presumably founded by Vikings at least a century before it was granted status as royal borough in 1292.
- First time I visit Denmark - First time I live abroad for 4 months without seeing my family - First time I meet so many people from diferent countries - ... and first time I use a blog!
So please, be patient: I need to manage all these new events:) But I promise... I will enjoy :D
Hi there!I am Aurelie, I am 22 and I come from Belgium. I am a future English and Dutch teacher. I am living in Denmark for 4 months: I hope to improve my English and knowledges to become a super teacher...
