From January to August, 2024 Panevėžys County Gabrielė Petkevičaitė-Bitė Public Library participates as a partner in the implementation of the Erasmus+ program project T.E.T.E („Teaching English to Elderly“) coordinated by the Latvian NGO Vecmāmiņas.lv.

In February a meeting of the project working group took place in Gabrielė Petkevičait-Bitė Public Library. Latvian and Lithuanian partners discussed the activities planned in the project application, agreed on specific dates of activities, and divided responsibilities.

Lithuanian partners visited Latvia in March. During this meeting, the progress of the project was discussed, the English language teaching methods used in groups of adult learners were evaluated, using not only the feedback of the moderators working with the groups, but also the feedback of the participants themselves. The representatives of the working group of Lithuanian partners of the project Virginija Švedienė and Toma Apynytė-Kirslienė visited the public libraries of Ogre and Valmiera and the Zemgalė branch of Riga Central Library according to the program established by the Latvian partners. Experience has been gained in how different generations (grandparents together with grandchildren) engage in joint educational activities in libraries. The reflection of the working session took place in the National Library of Latvia. 

Latvian colleagues - project coordinators - shared a tool of a new method - "Tell your Story" story cards. This method was tested in the classes of the English conversation club "Let's Talk" and the Language Cafe of Gabrielė Petkevičaitė-Bitė Public Library. According to the club members, this method encourages not only talking, but also getting to know each other better, because the questions supporting the discussion allow people to remember their childhood, adolescence, talk about their hobbies, work, relationships with other people, etc.

An effective way to improve not only speaking, but also writing skills, to practice formulating questions, was proposed by the Lithuanian partners: the participants divide into groups, get different topics and come up with five questions for each of these topics, then pass those questions to another group, which uses them for discussion. In addition to grammar and vocabulary practice, groups have the opportunity to experience the surprise effect – it is interesting to receive questions prepared by other group members and discuss them. Depending on the level of English of the people in the groups, the topics can be simple or more complex.

The progress of the project can be monitored on the Facebook account "TETE. Project Erasmus Plus.” On this page, Latvian and Lithuanian partners publish moments of club meetings, short videos with participants talking about the effectiveness of tested English language methods.

The impressions of Latvian and Lithuanian adult learners participating in the project, learning progress will be reflected in the electronic publication of the project.

In July, a meeting of adult educators working in the project and Latvian and Lithuanian adult learners will take place in Panevėžys. The partners will evaluate the benefits of participating in the project, discuss the challenges that arose during the project, and a joint Latvian and Lithuanian English class will be organized. During the cultural program, guests from Latvia will be introduced to Gabrielė Petkevičaitė-Bitė Public Library, the history of Panevėžys and the most interesting sights of the city.

Virginija Švedienė

Coordinator of Adult Education Activities