Summer Schools – Centre for Latvian Studies of Daugavpils University - NEWS

Autumn “summer school” of Latvian language and regional studies “Challenges of Etnotourism and Ecotourism in Latgale and Selonia” has finished successfully

Wed, 21 Oct 2020 14:00:00 +0000

From 2 to 11 October Daugavpils University organised autumn “summer school” of Latvian language and regional studies “Challenges of Etnotourism and Ecotourism in Latgale and Selonia”. This was the fourth year of such school.

It was originally planned that the summer school would take place in the middle of summer in the city of Daugavpils, but for safety reasons, it was decided to postpone it to autumn and organise all classes and activities online. Latvian language learning and sociocultural activities took place on Zoom platform.

The classes were attended by 10 foreign students and academic personnel from Azerbaijan, South Korea, Greece, Georgia, Peru, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan who received a scholarship from the State Education Development Agency of the Republic of Latvia for participation in the summer school.

Classes were organised in 2 modules: Latvian language learning and Tourism. In order to adapt the content of school modules for distance learning, it was necessary to develop an innovative methodological approach and to learn a variety of methods. Participants developed speaking, reading, listening and writing skills at the basic level on topics related to tourism, travel and education. Modern electronic resources and materials were used to learn Latvian. At the end of the course, the participants carried out a test of their language skill accordance to level A1.

This year, the focus of sociocultural activities was on the ecotourism and ethnotourism in Latgale and Selonia. The participants travelled virtualy to the brightest destinations of Latgale and Selonia tourism, noting the region's ethnographic heritage, the ecotourism spectrum and cultural and historical diversity. Practical tasks, discussions and support vocabulary in Latvian were integrated into the video excursions filmed specially for the summer school.

In Selonia, the unique nature diversity in the Dviete floodplain, the ethnourism and ecotourism symbiosis at the Tadenava Rainis Museum and Pauls Sukatnieks' personality at his home and garden in Dviete parish were discovered. In Latgale, the participants met Daugavpils Fortress and its various layers of cultural history, while Latgale's ethnographic heritage was explored during a visit to Līvāni Arts and Crafts Centre, Latgale's pottery secrets were discovered during a visit of a pottery school at Aivars Ušpelis in Malta parish, but everyday rural life and the traditions of cheese making were learned in farm “Yuri” in Rušona parish.

In discussions and practical tasks participants shared their ideas and suggestions for the development of different tourism facilities, compared Latvia's tourism environment with their own country's examples, as well as strengthening new vocabulary in Latvian.

Summer school graduation took place virtually on October 11, 2020. The organisers and participants of the school assessed their achievements, the specifics of distance learning and acknowledged that, even by learning and communicating in the digital environment, it is possible to establish not only formal relationship, but also emotional links. The song “Autumn” by “Brainstorm” was sung and accompanied by three guitars by the summer school participants from several continents and different time zones.

A survey was conducted to get feedback that would help improve school work in coming years. The school participants appreciated the methods and solutions used by the organisers in distance learning, both in Latvian language training and in the sociocultural activities. In addition, summer school participants provided their methodological and technological advice and ideas for the online summer school. Most of them also acknowledged that they would very much like to meet in person with the newly formed summer school group.

Here is some of their feedback:

Murad Bakhshiyev (Azerbaijan) wrote: I would like to thank the entire summer school team. You have done the best possible at this time of restrictions. I hadn't thought the lessons would be so effective and efficient for all of us.

Daria Bulgakova (Ukraine): Thank you very much. The team's work was great, you were well prepared. Each day was a wonderful investment in my knowledge stock about Latvia. I want to see you all in person.

Lydia Papakyriakou (Greece): Everything was great! I learned a lot of new things. Thanks for the opportunity! I hope we meet sometime.

At the end of the summer school, participants were issued electronic certificates for the participating in Latvian language and cultural programme of 60 hours or 6 ECTS (the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System), which approves their Latvian proficiency to the level A1.

The school was organised with an aim of providing an opportunity to acquire Latvian language and Latvian regional studies to project target group, in order to help the foreigners to get familiar with Latvia and Latvian language, develop awareness of Latvian cultural space, stimulate students to use Latvian language in public communication and encourage them to consider further cooperation opportunities with Latvia.

A team worked with summer school members in preparation for school and at school time: Dr. philol., prof. Maija Burima (Head of Summer School), Eva Bogdāne, Diāna Skuķe, Ilmārs Mežaraups, Darja Komlačeva.

The school is organized by Daugavpils University Faculty of Humanities Centre for Latvian Studies.

PHOTOGALLERY

You can follow our news at school's website and on Facebook.

This project has been funded with support from State Education Development Agency of the Republic of Latvia.

Autumn “Summer School” of Latvian Language and Regional Studies “Challenges of Ethnotourism and Ecotourism in Latgale and Selonia” has started

Fri, 02 Oct 2020 18:00:00 +0000

  Autumn “Summer School” of Latvian Language and Regional Studies “Challenges of Ethnotourism and Ecotourism in Latgale and Selonia” has started. At the first meeting on 2 October the students were introduced to each other, study process and Latvia. The school will take place for 10 days – up to 11 October.

 This year 10 students from 9 countries who are holders of State Education Development Agency scholarships will take part in Latvian language learning and sociocultural activities by exploring tourism in Latgale and Selonia.

The classes are held on ZOOM platform. Students will learn the basics of Latvian language and explore tourism of Latgale and Selionia regions.

 One more stage has finished for the organizing team of Autumn “Summer School” – the filming of excursions which the participants will use as valuable learning materials. 
The Team of Summer School:
Head of summer school, Latvian language teacher Dr. philol., prof. Maija Burima
Summer school coordinator, Tourism module manager vadītāja Eva Kasparenoka
Latvian language teacher's assistant Diāna Skuķe
Summer school coordinator, Tourism module manager's assistant Ilmārs Mežaraups
Summer school assistant Darja Komlačeva

The school is organized by Daugavpils University Faculty of Humanities Centre for Latvian Studies.

This project has been funded with support from State Education Development Agency of the Republic of Latvia.

Further Covid-19 Update: Autumn "Summer School" goes online

Tue, 01 Sep 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Following the news about the uncertain Covid-19 situation around the world, concerning the information provided by our participants and consulting the State Education Development Agency, it has been concluded that all of the scholarship holders cannot participate in the autumn “summer school” Challenges of Ethnotourism and Ecotourism in Latgale and Selonia: Integrated Latvian Language and Regional Tourism Practice here in Daugavpils as planned. We do not want anyone to go missing. We are already preparing the study and support materials for participants. We still want them to have the opportunity to learn Latvian language and culture.

Therefore, it has been decided that autumn “summer school” will be held online!

We are working on finding the best solutions for hosting the online language learning activities and providing our participants with a diverse virtual culture programme. We will revise the programme and adjust it so we can work online.

This project has been funded with support from State Education Development Agency of the Republic of Latvia

Update 11/6/2020: Covid-19, Scholarship and Participation for Charge

Thu, 11 Jun 2020 14:00:00 +0000

Daugavpils University informs that due to the COVID-19 outbreak it has been decided to postpone the Summer School “Challenges of Ethnotourism and Ecotourism in Latgale and Selonia: Integrated Latvian Language and Regional Tourism Practice”. It will take place 2-11 October, 2020.

We are happy to announce that after some problems caused by the emergency situation in Latvia the application round for Latvian Government scholarship competition for Summer School “Challenges of Ethnotourism and Ecotourism in Latgale and Selonia: Integrated Latvian Language and Regional Tourism Practice” is now completed.

We received 93 applications forms from eligible countries all over the world. We have read each application document, we found many interesting and inspiring motivation letters. There was fierce competition among applicants for Latvian Government scholarship. Almost 10 candidates for one scholarship.

The winners of 10 scholarships were selected by evaluating motivation letters. The final decision on granting scholarships was made by the evaluation committee of State Education Development Agency Republic of Latvia. All the applicants that were not chosen as the scholarship holders will receive an e-mail with information on how to participate for charge.

It is still possible to participate in the Autumn "summer school" for charge: participation fee is 490,00 EUR. All expenses are included. Travel expenses should be paid by the participants.

MORE ABOUT AUTUMN "SUMMER SCHOOL": http://summerschool.mozello.lv/about/

This project has been funded with support from State Education Development Agency Republic of Latvia

Open call for Summer School of Regional Studies “CHALLENGES OF ETHNOTOURISM AND ECOTOURISM IN LATGALE AND SELONIA"

Fri, 31 Jan 2020 22:00:00 +0000

We are happy to welcome students to the 4th Summer School of regional studies “CHALLENGES OF ETHNOTOURISM AND ECOTOURISM IN LATGALE AND SELONIA” organized by Daugavpils University on July 19-28, 2020!

Summer School “CHALLENGES OF ETHNOTOURISM AND ECOTOURISM IN LATGALE AND SELONIA” is an excellent opportunity to experience Eastern Latvia and learn Latvian language in multicultural environment.

You will experience:

interactive intensive Latvian language learning;
practical language tours via excursions in Latgale, meeting national cuisine, traditions cultural heritage and objects and institutions in Latgale and Selonia with important role in regional ecotourism and ethnotourism;
acquaintance with ancient crafts and modern innovations in regional context;
unique opportunity to visit municipality institutions;
participation in press conferences and cooperation with regional mass media;
building new contacts with people all over the world.

The language of instruction is Latvian and English. All students will be provided with language learning materials. Students completing a course will be issued a certificate of attendance (6 ECTS).

There are only 10 scholarships available for participation in the Summer School. The winners will be selected by evaluating motivation letters, where the reason of participation should preferably be indicated. It is possible to participate in the Summer School for charge: participation fee is 490,00 EUR. All expenses are included. Travel expenses should be paid by the participants.

Students from the following countries can apply for Latvian state scholarships: https://ej.uz/1e86

APPLY NOW: http://summerschool.mozello.lv/apply

MORE ABOUT SUMMER SCHOOL: http://summerschool.mozello.lv/about/

This project has been funded with support from State Education Development Agency Republic of Latvia