During the week of March 3 to March 7, 2025, French language teachers Anna-Maria Kambasi and English language teachers Eleni Kokosali visited Vienna for a five-day theater course for the foreign language class within the framework of the European Erasmus+ Programme ΚΑ122 / 2024-1-EL01-SCH-000223545” of our school entitled Breaking Stereotypes: Inclusive STEAM Education for a Brighter Tomorrow. The aim is to utilize theater techniques in the classroom, creating an environment of inclusion and cooperation among the student population.
The Austrian colleagues opened their classroom to our teachers. New techniques and technology at the disposal of the class, students and teachers. All the children were happy to offer dishes that they had made for Shrove Tuesday.
Dr. Thomas Bauer, a friend of Cretan culture and Cretans, welcomed the teachers to his office where he gave them a tour of PH Wien, the Vienna Academy of Pedagogy. The Academy, primary and secondary education, and even a vocational high school are housed in five different Hause, buildings. Amazingly designed spaces for study and independent learning as well as multi-purpose rooms, where they were lucky enough to see the oath of graduating teachers.
The theater lessons under the guidance of Mr. Alexander Starz were very interesting. Mr. Starz with great enthusiasm conveyed the teachers to the central idea of improvised theater and how it can be transferred to the classroom with multiple benefits. Dr. Alexandra Efstathiades was the lecturer of the English for Teachers part 1 course, attending which brought them closer to other teachers and helped exchange experiences in teaching.
Following the trip, the next goal is to implement joint lessons by incorporating new techniques and building the lesson in an inclusive environment.
