From 17-19 December, the family of Tallinn Tõnismäe Reaalkool hosted guests – teachers Giovanni Assiratti and Giorgia Ferrari from the Italian city of Vignola, who visited us as part of the Erasmus+ work exchange project. For the guests it was their first visit to Estonia. In addition to general questions, the Italian colleagues were interested in the teaching of mathematics, practical work in science and the organisation of support for pupils with special needs in our school.

Giovanni and Giorgia talked about the organisation of the learning process and student support with Natalia Jemets, Head of Department, and Mila Chastukhin, English teacher, and then visited a maths lesson in class 7b, where the students played maths board games. Artur Janson and Kirill Mahankov (teacher Jelena Grebjolkina), students in grade 12, then took the guests on a tour of the school building. The guests also took part in a number of lessons for Year II (the guests themselves work in a school for children aged 11-15), taught by Mila Chastukhina and Elena Rupski.

A cultural programme was also organised for teachers. TTRK teacher Katrin Vöörmann took Italian colleagues on a tour of the Old Town. On Thursday 18 December, the guests travelled to Rakvere together with classes 1.C and 2.A (class teachers Tatjana Boeva and Jelena Suits), where they watched a performance, took part in workshops and enjoyed a Christmas dinner. On Friday, the guests were invited to a Christmas concert by the choirs of the neighbouring school – Tallinn French Lyceum – in the church of St. Charles.

Giovanni and Giorgia were very touched by the warm welcome from our teachers and students. We sincerely hope that soon family members of the Tõnismäe Reaalkool will also be able to visit the Italian educational institutions that are loved by all.

Natalia Yemets