Baltic Summer University

This summer Vytautas Magnus University is hosting the Baltic Summer University. We offer a variety of courses to boost your professional skills, learn some Lithuanian and other languages, experience different cultures and meet new people. Just have a look at what we have to offer and prepare for your greatest discovery of Summer 2017!

For more information visit the website of the Baltic Summer University: http://balticsummeruniversity.com/

VMU students from Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan visited Raudondvario Gymnasium

On 13 October VMU students from Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan delivered classes of the Russian language to students of Raudondvario Gymnasium. They introduced culture and traditions of their respective countries. Most importantly, they gave gymnasium students a good opportunity to practice their skills of Russian. This visit to school adds to other examples of close cooperation between the Institute of Foreign Languages and institutions of general education.

Renewed Nordic Club “Nordi” starts the new school year

On the 14th of September VMU Nordic culture club “Nordi” organized a picnic on Nemunas island and afterwards invited everybody to watch a Norwegian film “Bølgen” (“The Wave”). The chosen day was perfect since we all had few lectures and the weather was fantastic! Bright sun raised our spirits and encouraged the members to get to know each other, which was the main aim of our gathering. Just like all northerners Lithuanians are rather reserved people, therefore, the standard form of introducing yourself in front of others would not suit us. That is why the president of our club Dominyka prepared an amusing game called “The Clock”. Each of us were given a sheet of paper on which we drew a clock and marked names of participating people next to the hours. The sound of the whistle meant that it was time to start talking to another person on the announced topic. Chatting to another person erases the fear of public speaking and introducing yourself becomes less trite. Thus, we “broke the ice” and enjoyed the snacks while chatting all together.

We are also glad to have exchange students in our club! A student from Germany and real northerner from Finland participated in our picnic. Elsbet, the new VMU lecturer from Norway was also invited to the gathering. She uses a variety of different methods when teaching Norwegian language. Therefore, during the lectures we mostly listen and practice speaking Norwegian ourselves. The lecturer mentioned that back in Norway she used to take her students to cafes, museums and other places where they practice new words in Norwegian on the spot which helps to learn the language more effectively. We felt fascinated by this idea and invited Elsbet to our picnic on Nemunas island. She immediately agreed to participate.

During the picnic we received a lot of questions about our club. The truth is that it was established a few years ago. However, the former members gradually stopped participating until the club ceased to exist completely. Therefore, back in the spring our Norwegian lecturer Jolita encouraged us to start the club back on and we supported this idea by reviving the Nordic culture club. Thus, we hope that our new members will be enthusiastic and keep this club alive for years to come!

European Day of Languages 2016

As every year, on 26 September IFL is inviting VMU community to celebrate the European Day of Languages together.  In 2014 the first IFL cup “Fight for language” was established with 3×3 basketball tournament which was won by the students’ team „Dar negavę ir negausim“ representing the Lithuanian language. In 2015 high school and VMU students met in an orienteering tournament. J. Dobkevičius progymnasium fighting for the English language and students’ team „Viva Italia“fighting for the Italian language triumphed as winners.

This year on the occasion of the European Day of Languages we are inviting you to the competition „Brave, quick and multilingual“ to win the 3rd IFL cup „Fight for multilingualism“. The teams will be competing in culture and language events: gastronomic déjà vu, lingua forum, rendez-vous in a foreign country, art mosaico, music potpourri.

Brochure

WHAT?

IIIRD IFL Cup “Fighting for Mumultilingualism”

WHERE? WHEN?

September 26, 2016, 9:00-11:00. Foyer of VMU Big Hall, S. Daukantas st. 28

HOW TO PARTICIPATE?

  • Gather your team – 5 participants and register it at uki.vdu.lt.
  • Think of a name for your team and quatrain that would reflect your multilingual team.
  • On the tournament day: prepare a team presentation (1 minute), have a distinctive sign and a poster with a name of your team.
  • AND DO NOT FORGET TO FETCH YOUR GOOD MOOD!

IF YOU WIN, PRIZES AND SURPRISES WILL BE AWAITING FOR YOU!

Those who want to participate are invited to register their team up to 12:00, September 22. Only 8 teams that will register first are going to participate.

Conference “The dynamics of Polish-Lithuanian relations”

nuotraukaOn 15-16 September the Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas together with the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Vilnius and the Polish Institute in Vilnius are organizing a conference dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic relations between Poland and Lithuania “The dynamics of Polish-Lithuanian relations.”

The conference will be opened by Ambassador of Poland to Lithuania Jarosław Czubiński. Mr Paweł Kowal, PhD. former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and former Member of the European Parliament will give the introductory lecture. During the conference the results of research in sphere of dynamics of relations development in the fields of history, philology, political science, economics, sociology, social sciences and humanities will be presented.

In the framework of the conference, on 15 September (at 16.00) in the Valdas Adamkus Presidential Library-Museum in Kaunas (S. Daukanto 25 St) the presentation of the biography of the late Polish President Lech Kaczyński (“Prezydent Lech Kaczyński 2005-2010”, written by the Sławomir Cenckiewicz and Adam Chmielecki) will be held. The discussion – with participation of the author and many guests from Poland and Lithuania – will be focused on foreign policies of Poland and Lithuania during the terms of presidents Lech Kaczyński and Valdas Adamkus, particularly in the context of their active actions in the Eastern Europe. It will be also a good opportunity to recall the term of late President Lech Kaczyński, that was so tragically interrupted.  Sławomir Cenckiewicz, PhD., Deputy Speaker of the Seimas Jaroslav Narkevič, Ambassador Žygimantas Pavilionis, PhD., Paweł Kowal, PhD. (tbc) and Dean of the Faculty of Political Science and Diplomacy Professor at Department of Political Science Šarunas Liekis, PhD. will take part in the book’s presentation and the discussion afterwards. The welcome speech will be given by Polish Ambassador Jarosław Czubiński and Professor Egidijus Aleksandravičius, PhD.

On 16 September (at 12.00) a panel titled „Poland and Lithuania after 25 years of resumption of their diplomatic relations – where are we now and where are we striving together? How can we contribute to a stable and prosperous Europe?” will be held. The Director Political Cabinet of the Minister FA of Poland Jan Parys, Political Director of the Ministry FA of Lithuania Rolandas Kačinskas, ambassador Vygaudas Ušackas, Giedrius Česnakas, PhD., Marcin Terlikowski, PhD. from the Polish Institute of International Affairs and Dean of the Faculty of Political Science and Diplomacy Professor at Department of Political Science Šarunas Liekis, PhD. will take part in the discussion. Panel discussion moderated by Andžej Pukšto, PhD.

The conference will be held in English.

Conference Programme

Tandem learning/teaching at VMU

In 2014 the Institute of Foreign Languages introduced Tandem learning/teaching of languages thereby offering students a possibility to enhance their learning of languages in an autonomous and self-guided way outside classroom. This method is designed to teach and learn languages in collaboration i.e. in a pair. During the tandem sessions participants, who are advanced users of two different languages, exchange the roles of a teacher and a learner, thus, developing their competences of the selected language. Learning in a tandem is especially helpful in improving speaking and listening skills and gain experience in intercultural communication.

The introduction of Tandem learning/teaching at VMU was inspired by the Institute teachers’ participation in international project SEAGULL. The international team of project partners has created linguistic material for language learning and teaching in a tandem: 15 topic sheets of Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish and Turkish for levels A1, A2, B1 and B2 as well as 20 topic sheets for communication in public areas. The material includes exercises, video and audio records as well as teacher guidelines and learning outcomes of particular topics. All the material can be openly accessed at http://seagull-tandem.eu/.

In 2014 a Moodle course was created for activities of tandem learning and a tandem coordinator was assigned to provide tandem learners with assistance. One VMU tandem learning session lasts for one semester. At the beginning of each session participants are invited to an introductory meeting where the tandem coordinator assists in arranging the tandem pairs and explains the activities in Moodle platform. All registered are informed about the first meeting by email.

Registration to tandem learning/teaching for 2016 autumn semester: