In the framework of the event, participants had the opportunity to meet third-country nationals involved in activities of the other regions, tell about their region and present the roadmap Searching for Diversity that they had prepared, obtain advice from the project specialists regarding some topical questions, and practice the Latvian language by taking part in tours and various creative workshops.
Inese, Latvian language teacher from Alūksne, tells that participants of the course were diligent in studying Latvian during the entire project period, and today they are joyful because many of them have been able to surprise themselves with the results. „I wish for everyone to be as positive-minded as these people were while attending the course. It is one thing to study when you are forced to do so; it is quite another when you study out of your free will. People in our course were interested in the language and it was out of their free will that they came to study with us; that is very important".
Gunta Vīksne, Coordinator of the Project, adds: „To create and maintain people`s motivation for learning, we tried to be creative in teaching Latvian throughout the entire project period as this approach plays a crucial role in the language acquisition process. Additionally to the Latvian classes, various creative workshops and trips were organized on a regular basis where people could learn things of their interest as well as study and use the Latvian language in an informal and unconstrained atmosphere." She indicates that it was a pleasure to meet so many nice people from the whole of Latvia who had come to the Information day and are willing to integrate. „Events of this kind are very important also for us as project implementers because they depict the real situation – people are motivated and willing to integrate in the society.“
Visitors of the Information day, too, are generous with words of appreciations to the organizers. Sophie from Azerbaijan: „Thank you very much for the opportunity to learn the Latvian language and be here today. So many new impressions! Here, at the Open-Air Museum, one can genuinely feel the Latvian culture and history.“
Zinaīda: „My heart rejoices when people from so many nationalities gather together and enjoy themselves, motivate and encourage one another. That gives strength and inspiration for further studies. Thank you for the wonderful day!“
The project is co-financed by the European Union. Implementation of the project "Diverse Solutions for Public Education and Integration 3" is co-financed by the European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals (75%) and state budget (25%). This publication is supported by the European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals. Responsibility for the content of this publication lies with the society “Shelter “Safe House””.
