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TEACHING METHODS

The Polish language programs, the teaching methods and most of the teaching aids used during the Polish language courses have been developed by the staff of the Jagiellonian University Center for Polish Language and Culture in the World. The Center is a leading research institution on teaching of Polish as a second and foreign language. As a result of methodological studies and extensive practical experience of our teachers we have worked out our own method of teaching Polish, which is of an eclectic character. For many years we have been strong advocates of the communicative approach in foreign language teaching, never hesitating to teach functional grammar – even explicitly and cognitively – if our students needed it. Effective communication in Polish is impossible without a firm grammatical foundation. We have emphasized the need of parallel work on developing all language skills, including writing. Among the applied methods special mention should be made of our task- and project-oriented approach, focused on social interaction and teamwork.

Before of each program students are tested to be placed in the classes suitable for their language proficiency level. Level changes and group transfers are possible within three days after the commencement of the program. Later transfers are possible after a consultation with the Director of the Polish Language Program. We teach Polish by using Polish even on the beginners level. It is not only because students from all over the world and speaking various languages come to study in the Center, but also because it gives very good results!

The courses in Polish language are structured in accordance with the level specifications defined in the European Council document Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment; CEFR.

LEARNING LEVELS

A1 Beginner level

A person with language skills at this level understands and is able to use everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satsfacton of concrete needs. He/she can formulate personal questons concerning where he/she lives, the people he/she knows, and the things he/she owns, and can also answer this type of queston. He/she is able to introduce him/herself and others. He/she is able to hold a simple conversaton, as long as his/her interlocutor speaks slowly and clearly and is willing to help.

A2 Elementary level

A person with language skills at this level understands statements and frequently used phrases on topics connected to daily life (for example, very basic informaton about the person with whom he/she is speaking and his/her family, shopping, surroundings, work, etc.). He/she is able to communicate in simple, routne-like situatons that require merely a direct exchange of sentences on familiar, typical topics. He/she is able, in a simple way, to describe his/her ancestry and the surroundings in which he/she lives, and can also discuss issues connected with the most important needs of everyday life.

B1 Intermediate level

A person with languages skills at this level can understand the main topics of a message contained in clear, standard statements that concern matters typically encountered in work, school, leisure actvites, etc. He/she can deal with most communicatve situatons likely to arise while travelling in a region where the language is spoken. He/she is able to form simple, coherent oral or writen statements on topics that are familiar or of personal interest. He/she can describe experiences, events, hopes and ambitons, briefly providing reasons and explanatons of his/her opinions and plans.

B2 Upper intermediate level

A person with language skills at this level understands the main ideas in complex texts on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her feld of specializaton. He/she can interact with enough fluency and spontaneity to hold a normal conversaton with a natve speaker of the language without causing any strain for either party. He/she is able to produce clear, detailed oral and writen statements on a wide range of subjects, and also explain his/her point of view on issues that are being discussed while considering the advantages and disadvantages of various solutons.

C1 Advanced level

A person with language skills at this level understands a wide range of difcult, longer texts, while also discerning implicit meaning. He/she can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously, fnding appropriate expressions without difculty. He/she can use language flexibly and effectvely for social, academic and professional purposes. He/she can formulate clear, well-structured, detailed oral and writen statements on complex subjects, showing fluent and correct use of organizatonal paterns, connectors and cohesive devices.

C2 Proficiency level

A person with language skills at this level can easily understand virtually everything he/she hears and reads. He is able to summarize informaton from various spoken and writen sources, reconstructng arguments and explanatons in a coherent manner. He/she can express his/her thoughts spontaneously, fluently and precisely, subtly differentatng shades of meaning even in the most complex statements.