May 18, 2022
TU Dresden’s learning and play workshop for Ukrainian child refugees becomes a preparatory course for the University School
Einige Schülerinnen und Schüler der neuen Vorbereitungsklasse mit ihrer Lehrerin Tetiana Bieliaieva samt Federmäppchen und Zuckertütchen: ein Geschenk des Fördervereins der Universitätsschule Dresden.
TU Dresden’s learning and play workshop for Ukrainian child refugees is turned into a regular preparatory course of the University School. In agreement with the Saxon State Office for School and Education, 23 children between the ages of 9 and 12 will be able to study together until the end of the school year on the premises of the TUDAG education company located in the World Trade Center Dresden.
Prof. Anke Langner, head of scientific research into the University School Dresden pilot project, set up the learning and play workshop in March along with colleagues from the Faculty of Education. It was essential to offer families who had fled Ukraine a quick and unbureaucratic educational and social meeting space in Dresden. This initiative received a great response, and Anke Langner is glad that it will now be established on a permanent basis. “This way, our University School pilot project can contribute to the conceptual design of preparatory courses. And we can finally pay Tetiana Bieliaieva, who has been a dedicated volunteer at the learning workshop, for the work she does.”
Teacher alongside TUD student team
Teacher Tetiana Bieliaieva, who herself fled the war from Ukraine, will take over the responsibility for the preparatory course. She will be supported by the principal of the University School and her team. As in the learning workshop, there are more people committed to the project: staff from TUD's teacher training program in vocational education, school education, and various subject didactics, as well as QUABIS Saxony, Semperoper Education, and the Staatsoperette. Students can earn credits for their involv
Introducing students to the language of education
The aim of the preparatory course is to introduce the students to the new educational language while using the teaching and learning methods that are part of the University School’s concept. They are learning the new language following the methods they need to answer their own research questions. Learning tandems of school students and university students have been formed for this purpose. “Working and speaking together is essential to the learning process,” says Antje Langner.
To celebrate the official start of the preparatory course, the Friends of the University School gave the children pencil cases and little goody bags.