Comenius
Assistantship
action
Žana Orlova
Induction meeting for
Incoming Comenius and
Grundtvig assistants
Vilnius
11-12 November, 2011
Statistical data
Dynamics of Comenius Hosting schools in Lithuania of year the 2001-2011
Number of assistantships
60
55
50
41
40
30
30
30
20
16
23
20
17
Number of applications received
Number of approved applications
17
16
11
10
5
0
5
5
5
8
6
5
8
9
9
1
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Year
Comenius Assistantship
To give future teachers the opportunity to:
 gain a better understanding of the European
dimension to teaching and learning;
 enhance their knowledge of foreign
languages, other European countries and
their education systems;
 improve their teaching skills.
Key aspects - 1
Maintain cultural and linguistic diversity
and
practice the right to live and work anywhere in
Europe
PRIORITY
less widely used and less taught languages
Key aspects - 2
To introduce or reinforce a European dimension in the
host school and community
BY
Raising learners’ awareness of another European
culture and
helping break down prejudice
Key aspects - 3
Assistants concentrate mainly on work in the
classroom
BUT
There are opportunities to develop more unusual or
innovative activities while:
teaching own language and culture (language and nonlanguage lessons)
extra-curricular activities
activities in the local community
Good practice guide
4.1 Before leaving for the assistantship
4.2 Integration into the school
4.3 Integration into the local community
4.4 In and beyond the classroom
Preparing the assistantship







Agree an outline timetable
Make sure the timetable is for 12–16 hours per week
Use the chance to teach your mother tongue
Understand the host education system
Learn the language
Investigate the possibility of obtaining student status
Get insurance
Key aspect: invest time and thought
Integration into the school








Respect cultural and educational differences
Introduce yourself to all staff
Understand teachers are sometimes very busy
Use the induction period to think carefully about the
assistantship
Offer to help teachers during the induction period
Offer to help with extra-curricular activities — sport,
clubs, etc.
Meeting with your supervisor at the end of the
induction period
If you have problems, speak to your supervisor first
Key aspect: observe and be sensitive
Integration in the local
community






Be aware of cultural and religious differences
Try to use the local language wherever possible
Find out about language classes or exchanges
Consider joining a local club or evening class
Do not miss the induction meeting
Ask the host national agency for a list of other
Comenius assistants
 Complete all necessary formalities (health, etc.)
Key aspect: be active
In and beyond the classroom
 Aim for informality but ensure respect
 Plan all lessons thoroughly, with the teacher if
possible
 Speak mainly the language (in which) you are
teaching
 Speak clearly but usually at normal speed
 Discuss with teachers how you should correct
learners’ mistakes
 Gain as much experience as possible with different
types of class
 Suggest activities and materials
In and beyond the classroom
 Try not to be limited to the traditional classroom
 If you have discipline problems, speak to your
supervisor
 Every week evaluate with the supervisor what you
have achieved
 Keep a file on your assistantship
Key aspects:
consider cultural and educational
differences and do not enter in conflict
with the policy of the school
Anexes I and II
Annex I — Accommodation
Tips: living with a family, student
residences, sharing flats or houses
Annex II — Resources assistants can
bring
Are you going home for Christmas?
Take a look at this annex
Some ideas for activities
Part I: In the language classroom
 all ages
 primary school
 secondary school
Part II: Beyond the language classroom
 Subjects other than languages,
 extra-curricular activities
 Clubs
 Projects
 special weeks
Responsibilities
Assistants’ responsibilities:
 do his/her best to fulfill his/her tasks in a committed
way;
 carefully prepare for his/her assistantship;
 support the school to establish contacts to his/her
home country;
 accept all school rules and regulations relevant for
employees;
 inform the school in cases of illness or unforeseen
absence;
 inform the school as early as possible if due to
unforeseen circumstances the assistantship can not
be completed as agreed upon.
Responsibilities
Host schools’ responsibilities:
 regular weekly meetings with the supervisor;
 introduce the assistant to all staff;
 allow observation for an induction period;
 draw a timetable which takes into account the
professional interests of the assistant;
 allow for teaching his/her mother tongue;
 integrate the CA in the school life;
 inform him/her about all rules and regulations;
 support the assistant to their best;
 facilitate contacts;
 help the CA to take part in the induction meeting.
When you go back... 1
Ensure a certificate signed by the head
of the Host School, stating full name,
dates and place of the assistantship
Keep in touch with the LT contacts (&
other CAs) for future partnerships or
projects
When you go back... 2
 fill-in the final report and:
- send a copy to your and LT NA’s within 30 days,
together with a copy of the signed agreement;
- leave a copy with your host school.
 promote and disseminate the experience:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xQLNJgb73w
 be aware of Europass CV, Language Passport and
Europass Mobility as European mobility tools:
http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/
Your questions are welcome 
References
 Education Exchanges Support Foundation
http://www.smpf.lt
 Good practice guide for host schools and assistants
(first document)
http://www.smpf.lt/lt/dokumentai/2011_m_paraisku_t
eikejams/comenius_asistentams_ir_priimancioms_m
okykloms_skirtas_gerosios_praktikos_vadovas_en
 Erasmus intensive language courses in Lithuania
http://www.smpf.lt/en/erasmus_studiesplacements/er
asmus_intensive_language_courses_eilc_in_lithuani
a
 Europass documents
http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/
Education Exhanges Support Foundation
Gelezinio Vilko str. 12, 01112 Vilnius
Tel. (8~5) 261 0592
Fax. (8~5) 249 7137
E-mail: zana.orlova@smpf.lt
www.smpf.lt