First student, then intern
First student, then intern
Vanessa's story
I think that Prague is great place for foreigners to live in. It is full of opportunities to meet people; there are a lot of events of different kinds.
So you
have already been in Czech Republic, in Prague for your study. How come that
you decided to come back?
I came back because I wanted to improve my Czech
language, I have studied Czech at University but I wanted to learn more and
more. I like Czech as a language, also the culture, so I wanted to do this
experience. I have already been here in Prague and České Budějovice, and in
summer school of Czech language in Brno, for all that I have been here almost a
year. I was really satisfied with the life here so I wanted to come back one
more time after my studies.
Czech language is very different from
Italian. What was your motivation to start to study Czech language?
I wanted to try Slavic languages; it seemed kind of challenging for me. They
are similar so I just wanted to start with one. I have been to the presentation
at University. I really liked it, so I decided to apply for it and I didn't
regret it. I like the sound of Czech, and also I like culture and literature.
After my Bachelor's degree I decided also to continue to study Czech on my
Master. I decided to do Erasmus in Czech Republic; and for me, that was, and
still is the best way to get my language knowledge to higher level. I wanted to
learn as much as possible and back home in Italy, I didn't have that much opportunity
to do it, and here I am dealing with the language every day.
You are teacher here, for Italian and
English languages. Does your knowledge of Czech helping you in teaching? How
much do you use Czech while you are teaching?
Yes, because most of my students are beginners; and for me it is really helpful
because they can understand the whole lesson. The one that I am teaching English
I am trying to use English as much as it is possible, but sometimes I need to
explain something more difficult in Czech to make them understand better.. So
it is really good that I know Czech language.
Is it hard for you to switch the
languages?
It is not really because now I am doing it in my daily basis, and when I was studying
here in Prague, and České
Budějovice I had classes in Czech and also some in English,
and I had to switch from one to another, so I am really used to it. Sometimes in the evening when I am tired from
whole day it is a bit confusing, because I don't even know which language I am
talking. But I think that it also happens to others.
Do you see some differences between
studying in Prague, and doing internship?
Yes, of course it is different. Especially I would say that I see the
difference in meeting people. For example in University, you are meeting so
many people, maybe more foreigners, and when you are working you are meeting your
students, and colleges. It is a kind of different, and also you cannot do
whatever you want because you need to be focus on what you do, your work, preparing
the lessons. You do have time for having fun, but I would say that you must be
much more responsible.

Talking about the internship.
Where did
you find out about the internship in Educa-languages?
I found the internship on Erasmus Intern website. I also had some other
options, but I decided for this one because I was more interested in teaching
than other things. I studied didactic at University, so I wanted to try not
only theoretical part, but also practical one.
What was your first impression?
For me it wasn't that hard, I already have some experiences at this kind of
things. I didn't work in language school but I used to go very often to
language tandem exchange events. I used to teach some Czech people Italian
language when I was here in Prague, so I already did it in some kind, but still
it isn't the same. Now I have to prepare lessons, and when I did tandem I did it
just for fun, it was easier. Doing the internship is a different, but I like it.
Living in Prague
How do you like it, what do you do
beside internships
I think that Prague is great place for foreigners to live in. It is full of
opportunities to meet people; there are a lot of events of different kinds. I
am more interested in attending events such as "language exchanges" because it
is my field. There are so many here in Prague, three or four per week, and
although if you don't know anyone it isn't difficult to meet new people. Back home in Italy there are not so many events like this. I would say that Prague is more
international, so I feel the difference.
The city is open for everyone. Maybe, for me it isn't that difficult because I
know the language, and in a lot of situations that helps me a lot, but as it is
really multicultural city, also with English it isn't difficult to manage
things.
Also I want to add that for me it was also really nice that from the beginning
I didn't feel alone in Prague, not just because of the people I know from my
previous staying in Prague, but also because of the other interns. We work well
as a group, hanging out together.
Favourite place in Prague
I really like Naplavka. Maybe because the river seems like the sea with
imaginations. Because in my hometown there is a sea and I really like to walk
along the sea, and watch it. It is really peaceful and calm; and here walking
along the Vltava I have the feeling as if I am there, next to the sea.
Sara N