Tolna Város Gimnáziumának Idegennyelvi Alapítványa

The Tolna Város Gimnáziumának Idegennyelvi Alapítványa (Foundation) has been operating in Hungary since 1992, in Tolna. Although the school’s name has changed many times throughout the years, the importance of the role and work of the foundation haven’t changed. The Foundation supports the foreign language learning skills and motivation of students at Tolnai Szent István Catholic High School through providing them (or the school’s library) with books, bookworms, course books, dictionaries, literature and other materials (games, board games, additional materials, magazines in foreign languages) they need. It also organises exchange programmes, takes part in projects/competitions and enters different tenders invited by the state or by our local government. It encourages out of school activities for instance language camps or study circles. It also helps to support our teachers, our foreign teachers, lecturers or performances like stage shows or plays. Our foundation provides friendly and cosy classrooms equipped with the latest modern devices that help our students to acquire the main languages (English and German) easily. Besides these main languages Russian and Italian are taught here as well that are vital as the more languages you speak, the more sided you are. Our foundation also rewards students who have achieved great results in languages. Our students are between the age of twelve and eighteen (grades 7th to 12th). They are highly motivated in learning foreign languages. As in primary school, students have to learn at least one foreign language, some of our students are more advanced in English or German than others. We organize our students into groups of about fifteen according to their levels of language ranging from beginners to advanced. At the end of their high school studies it is obligatory to take language exams on different levels (ordinary (B1) or advanced (B2)) as their further studies require. Language skills can be a significant competitive advantage that sets one apart from their monolingual peers. They are among the top eight skills required of all occupations. The study of foreign languages teaches and encourages respect for other peoples: it fosters an understanding of the interrelation of language and human nature, and make one more flexible and tolerant. We are basically working to provide good quality education for students according to their individual needs and to give room for their development. We take responsibility for the well-being and language development of our students. We pay special attention to highly motivated students but we aim to support all our students to be able to perform their best. Our lessons are suitable for the development of attention, concentration and the development of strategies. Students can also experience cooperation and competition through group work (or pair work) thus gaining a sense of success and strengthening their ability to tolerate failure. VOLUNTEERS Volunteers would be welcome and would be appreciated to take part in any activities organised at our high school. Volunteers, working together with teachers, would help teachers plan the foreign language lessons and participate in activities that are in connection with foreign language education. Besides taking part in the lessons, volunteers would be welcome to organise or take part in any activities that help students improve their language skills. They could participate in class excursions, they could organise English clubs or „English/German table” (a „table” in the school canteen where students would be welcome to speak in English/German), they could participate and help in sport programs, they are welcome to organise or to participate in out of school activities: movie nights, music clubs, sport clubs etc. This organisation is willing to involve volunteers who would help our students both to connect and to use the language they study. Working with teenagers and young adults can be mutually beneficial. Te