Author: Adela Faltynkova
Contacts University
University of Applied Science, Teacher Training Institute Primary Education
Hogeschool Katholieke PABO Zwolle
Ten Oeverstraat 68,
8012 EW Zwolle,
The Netherlands
Tel.: +31 (0)384217425
Fax: +31(0)384210914
webaddress:www.kpz.nl
Erasmus code: NL ZWOLLE06
Harrie Poulssen (international Officer)
Email: h.poulssen@kpz.nl
Bert Thole (Coordinator IM)
Email: b.thole@kpz.nl
About the University:
The Katholieke Pabo Zwolle, also known as KPZ, is an independent Interactum University of Applied Sciences (Dutch "hogeschool"). There are over 650 students and a staff of about 70. This means that the KPZ is one of the many small- to medium-sized institutes for higher professional education in the Netherlands.
The International Minor Program(IM) is a five month course in English for 30 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System). The website contains all the necessary information about our teacher training course in which we combine theory and practice and offer a varied study programme with a clear structure using the module system and ECTS. For the IM you need a required level of English like TOEFL or IELTS.
How can I apply?
Each year we have an international minor in spring semester from 1st of February until 1st of July.
Deadline for application is: 1 November (previous calendar year)
For application you need to fill in this student application form and mail it to us.
[application form on the website]
Please note: When we have received your complete application form an overview on admission will be held by means of Skype.
Before we got here:
Before we got to the Netherlands, we got a lot of information about our next semester. We have written a lot of emails and had to do a few things before we got here.
To attend the Pabo we have had a conversation via Skype, where the English teacher asked me a few things (in English - so they can see our level), for example what I am expecting, why I want to go to the Netherlands, and so on.
Furthermore we had to get some information about how fractions are tought in the Czech Republic, we had to copy the schoolbooks, made a short clip about a mathlesson, made a foto of the classroom, ect.
The Pabo organised a very good accomodation, so we didn´t have to look for something - which was really a pleasentness!
Then Ria Posthumus asked us when and how we will get to Zwolle and if we wanted to have a welcome guide, who wouls pick us up from the railway station and bring us to our houses.
Info about the general things and the first weeks:
We are in a "seperate class" - The international Minor/class. All in all we are 15 people (6 Spanish girls, 1 girl from Turkey, 1 boy from Nepal, 2 Czech girls and 5 people from Austria). All our courses we have together - we do not have any courses with the students from the PABO.
The first week was a welcome week to get aquaint with each other:
The first day most of our teachers and the headmaster were here to welcome us and to introduce themselves.
We also had to introduce ouselves to the other ones and to speak about our expectations.
The welcome week was really a good experiences, we were ice skating and played traditional Dutch games.
My courses:
1) English language (1 ECTS)
The objective of this course revolves around writing and presenting an academic paper in English in which your own written work will play a pivotal role. This very short course of 4 lessons focuses both on development of academic writing skills and strenghtening presentation skills.
2) Culture and Society ( 4 ECTS)
The students ude their ecperience and the kknowledge theyhave mastered of Dutch history, culture, art and society as a tool to understand and explore their own and other societies. Moreover students are confronted witht the questoins in which way history, culture and society shape our cultural identity, our wy of being.
3) Pedagogics (5 ECTS)
We will examine reform pedagogy in all its aspects. We will see which concepts are still used today.
We wonder what a present day and future child need. We explore the new didactics and explore existing concepts which have caught on in the Netherlands.
4) Dutch language (3 ECTS)
This is a Dutch course for our class. We learn the basics of the language, for example to introduce ourselves, talk about our hobbies, colors, show someone the way, ect.
5) Coaching/Counselling and tutorship (CCT / 3 ECTS)
The CCT is different from other modules, since most of the content is not definite yet.
There will be time for teambuilding activities and for personal coaching. Moreover students will be prepared for the practical training.
6) DRAMU (Drama and Music) (2 ECTS)
Starting with rhythm activities, movement and finishing with songd for children we learn to understand the meaning of rhythm, melody and harmony. All native songs will be produces on seet music and recorded ona CD.
7) Project week "Randstad" (2 ECTS)
During the semester we will take part in a prject week and a number of cultural activities. In this week (in Amsterdam and Den Haag) we will visit a number of cultural and social institutions.
8) Research (5 ECTS)
The research modules offer a good method to examime educational reform. During practical training we will be at school where we will do our research.
9) Teaching practise (4 ECTS)
This is the main and for me the most important part of the whole semester. I am in Heerde (small village next to Zwolle) in a Jenaplan school. I have to teach at least 26 lessons. I will see the idea of Jenaplan in a practical way.
10) Teacher in Europe student conference (1 ECTS)
Students learn in an international environment how to design a project under Erasmus + and to complete a final proposal.
Zwolle:
Accomodation
We live in camping de Agnietenberg which is little bit far away from school, but it is nice. There are chalets for 3 persons. Every person has own room and living room and bathroom is shared with next two persons. Chalets are very nice and it looks new. Sometimes you can recognize that it only looks new, but thats funny :D Rent for this chalet is 375 Euro per person. First you have to pay a deposit 300 Euro but at the end of semestr you will get money back if everything will be ok :) Rooms are small but cute. And finally it is better to stay away from town, because you can relax, go to the beach, to lake, play games outside or go for a walk or something.
Transport
In Holland, there is common to travel by bicycle. I have to tell you that you have to buy a bike immediately after you come. It is necessary, because anyway you cant go everywhere you want. I had bicycle from my country, but then I had a problems with sell it. So it is better to buy a bike here and then you can easily sell it in one shop near HEDON. I dont know how to travel by bus, because I only used bike and my car, what I brought from my country.
Life in the Netherlands
I like to live in Holland. People here are friendly and you will see it. Everybody wants to help you. Some problems are with medical help here. Dont go to hospital. Find some practic doctor and go there. In hospital you will spend a lot of money and they will do nothing!!!!!!! But if you want to go out at night, the best place are De Stoof and Flying horse. There are the best parties :)
About the teaching practice:
I was at International school Eerde in Ommen. I was there, because i had my car there and i could travel by it. It was amazing school, I enjoyed a lot this time there and I want to go back to see everybody :) I think teaching practice is almost the best thing on that International Minor. You will learn a lot of education, population in Holland, culture and more.
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