LC Exchange Guide+School Toolkit - Flipbook - Page 10
Staff
A successful school exchange can benefit both language teachers and non‑language teachers. It can
contribute to good working relationships between staff. The language teacher might provide cover to the
non‑language teacher while they do an activity with the exchange students, and the non‑language teacher
might provide cover while the language teacher is abroad. It can encourage teachers to look at each other’s
subjects through new eyes. It can reduce the work‑load for the language teachers, if non‑language teachers
are willing to host, go abroad and or get involved at whatever level suits them. It is a great opportunity for
any teacher to job‑shadow in another country. One teacher mentioned that a school exchange had led to
a teacher exchange, which was a wonderful opportunity. Hosting is an opportunity for all teachers to make
friends, just as it is for students. Language teachers need to keep their language skills up to date, so a school
exchange is an ideal opportunity to practise the Target Language. A whole school approach where a number
of staff are involved makes it easier to run an ongoing and successful exchange. The video clip from Lucan
Community College includes very positive feedback from non‑language teachers, so do encourage teaching
staff to look at it.
Travel
For information on immigration services and customs advice for school trips/exchanges see:
https://www.irishimmigration.ie/at-the-border/travelling-with-children/#groups-with-minors The
coordinating teacher should have 1) a list of all members in the group; 2) a letter of consent for travel with the
adult group leader from each minor’s parent(s)/guardian(s), including contact details; 3) a copy of a birth or
adoption certificate, or guardianship papers showing the parent(s)/guardian(s) relationship with the child; 4) a
copy of marriage / divorce certificate in the case where the child’s parent has a different surname to the child;
and 5) a copy of the parent/guardian’s passport or state identity document. Each person should carry their
own passport or identity document.
Students
Exchanges work really well when students are enthusiastic, have a positive attitude and are open‑minded
to experiencing a new culture. It is important to engage with students, inform them of the benefits and
keep them motivated. Students who have just completed an exchange should be allowed to promote it
to the students in the year below them, as they are more likely to be persuaded by other students than by
teachers and parents. Some schools like to restrict the exchange to small numbers (e.g. one school keeps
it to a maximum of 12), and others prefer to have large groups, there are pros and cons for both. There are
students in the video clips with very positive feedback, so do show the clips to students.
Time frame
Some schools are willing to let an exchange take place during term time, and others insist on it happening
during the holidays. It is important to bear in mind that it is a cultural exchange, school is a big part of
students’ lives, so an opportunity to see what school life is like in a partner school in the TL country is
invaluable. It also means you will have colleagues to help with the cultural programme you will have
to plan. A PE teacher to help with Gaelic football and hurling, a Music teacher, and somebody who has
experience with Irish dancing, to help with a céilí, a History teacher to help with a local history tour, a
Geography teacher to help with a tour of whatever is unique to the area, a Home Economics teacher to do
brown bread and a full Irish breakfast with them, there is a lot of scope for non‑language teachers to assist
with the programme. If it takes place during the school holidays, it will be a very different experience, and
some teachers (MFL is predominantly female) have to cover childcare during the holidays which makes it
more difficult for them to get involved.
Town Twinning
Some towns are twinned with a similar town abroad, find out if your
town is twinned and if it is, find out if the schools abroad have
exchanges in place.
Town Twinning can benefit individuals, groups, businesses, tourism,
schools, etc., it might be worth looking into, or even encouraging a
relevant local group to look into it. The video clip of Carndonagh
Community School is a good example of this.
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How-to Manual for School Exchanges
