Language Café Fågelskolan

About

The Language Café project is a tutoring and socio-cultural programme for international students and Swedish pupils aged 13-16 at Fågelskolan, Lund.

Story

The Language Café project at Fågelskolan

The Language Café project is a tutoring and socio-cultural programme for international exchange students at Lund University and pupils at Fågelskolan in Lund, Sweden. The pupils are from grade 8 and 9 (aged 13-16) of the Swedish compulsory school. Students and pupils meet in the school cafeteria, in a relaxed atmosphere, to discuss and talk about topics such as everyday life, culture, traditions and spare time activities in their different countries.
Aims
• pupils get the opportunity to practise the foreign languages they learn, while talking to native speakers
• pupils get inspired, motivated and acquire self-confidence
• pupils learn to use strategies to overcome language barriers and develop their communication skills
• both pupils and students gain from the mutual exchange of knowledge
• pupils and students broaden their perspectives on the world and develop understanding of different codes and cultures
• students get the chance to learn about everyday life and traditions in Sweden

Method
• small groups of pupils chat with international students in a relaxed atmosphere
• the cafés are arranged 6 times each term
• we serve coffee and homemade Swedish pastries baked by our pupils
• in the 8th grade (aged 14) the pupils speak English with students from all over the world
• in the 9th grade (aged 15) the conversation is in French, German and Spanish, the other languages taught at our school
• we prepare and follow up during language lessons

The Language Café Project is carried out in collaboration with the International Desk at the University of Lund. The project is regarded as an Extra Curricular Activity and the international students receive an official certificate from the university and Fågelskolan, confirming their participation. This document can later be included in their CV:s.