Summer Studies Program description

JAGIELLONIAN UNIVERSITY, KRAKOW - 2023 applications will open March/April 

The following intensive Polish language and culture programs are available in person this summer: a 4-week course in July, a 3-week course in July and a 3-week course in August.

In order to ensure maximum safety for our participants, with regard to testing for COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 and vaccinations accepted within the European Union, regulations will be in effect regarding who may enter the Republic of Poland https://www.gov.pl/web/koronawirus/granice-i-ruch-miedzynarodowy.
Current guidelines of the Chief Sanitary Inspector, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, and the Jagiellonian University regarding the prevention of the COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 epidemic will be followed during the program (keeping a distance, covering mouth and nose in indicated situations, disinfecting hands and rooms).

LANGUAGE CLASSES

All incoming students will take a Polish language placement tests before attending JU classes. This test allows to determine students' level of language proficiency and qualify them for the appropriate group. Based on the results of the placement test, applicants will be placed in a group with other students who have similar language skills/proficiencies. There are six levels of language instruction*:   

Basic User - Levels A1 and A2, for absolute beginners

Intermediate Users - Levels B1 and B2

Proficient Users - Levels C1 and C2

*If there is an insufficient number of applicants in a given level, the School reserves the right not to open classes at that level.  

Language levels are structured in accordance with the level specifications defined in the European Council document, Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment; CEFR.  For a detailed description of language skills and abilities  in each of the proficiency levels, please see the link at PLI in course descriptions below. 

Daily language classes include 4 segments of 45 minutes each. A 15 minute break occurs between the second and third segments. The number of students in a language group is usually between 5 and 10 students. All language classes meet Monday through Friday. Language classes are taught in Polish.  

PROGRAM DETAILS
Each program includes language classes; 30- or 15-hour courses on Polish grammar, literature and society; as well as cultural programs on weekends. Lectures in Polish and in English. The lectures will be delivered by professors from the Jagiellonian University who have many years of experience in teaching foreign students in Poland and at universities all over the world. When the course ends, the participants can take final exams, get diplomas from the Jagiellonian University and transcripts with credits/ECTS points.

The final grade for all language courses is a result of the following scores:
Attendance and class work (20%),
Midterm test (30%),
Final exam (50%).

Students who miss more than 10% of the Polish language classes (without excuse) may not take the Polish language exam.

THE METHOD
All classes are conducted in Polish. The maximum number of participants in a language class is 12 persons. The Polish language programs, the teaching methods and most of the teaching aids used during the summer courses have been developed by the staff of the Jagiellonian University Institute of Polish Language and Culture for Foreigners. The Institute is a leading research institution on teaching of Polish as a second and foreign language.
As a result of methodological studies and extensive practical experience of our teachers we have worked out our own method of teaching Polish, which is of an eclectic character. For many years we have been strong advocates of the communicative approach in foreign language teaching, never hesitating to teach functional grammar – even explicitly and cognitively – if our students needed it.
Effective communication in Polish is impossible without a firm grammatical foundation. We have emphasized the need of parallel work on developing all language skills, including writing. Among the applied methods special mention should be made of our task- and project-oriented approach, focused on social interaction and teamwork.

CERTIFICATES AND CREDIT POINTS
Within four-, and three-week programs you can choose from various courses so that the total number of hours taken by you meets your expectations (make sure the courses do not overlap and are taught during your stay in Kraków). In order to obtain credits you should fulfill all the course requirements, i.e. appropriate attendance, midterm test, and final exam in Polish language; final test or a paper on the topic accepted by the academic adviser (in other courses).

Students who pass the final language exams and meet attendance requirements receive a Jagiellonian University Polish Language Certificate (Świadectwo Językowe Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego). On request we also send a Transcript of Studies which states the number of instruction hours, the level of the language course and/or the titles of other courses taken, and a grade or grades. The transfer of credits obtained at the Jagiellonian University should be arranged with the home college or university. The participants wishing to do so ought to contact their Registrar's offices before going to Kraków. All participants who attend classes also receive commemorative Certificates of Attendance.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Class times are given in Polish time. According to the Polish system of education, one academic hour equals forty-five minutes. All language exams as well as all in-class tests are included in the total number of academic hours. The inaugural lecture counts towards the total number of hours of each afternoon course.
Polish language classes will be held in the morning (9:00-12:15), whereas other courses are held in the afternoon, (14:30-16:15 and 16:30-18:15). All courses chosen by the participant should be marked on the online application form.

CULTURAL PROGRAMS
Film presentations (with English subtitles)

TOURIST PROGRAM
Sightseeing tours of: the Jagiellonian University Museum in Collegium Maius, Kraków's Old Town with the Kazimierz district, and the Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory.
Trips to: the ancient Salt Mine in Wieliczka, and the Tatra Mountains, including a visit to the resort city of Zakopane.
Detailed information about the tourist program will be provided by the Assistant during the program.

Program fees do not include a $75 registration fee.

Time zones listed above are based on the 24 hour clock.

A syllabus for each course will be available by mid-June. 

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