Europe, here we are!

What are you going to do?

Slovakia is a country most young Europeans know little about. Your school will start a video-project with a school in Slovakia. Before starting the project you want to find out something about this country; its geography, history, economics and culture. You also want to know something about its currency, its educational system, the language and (the most important issue) the Slovakian people.

How will you proceed?

• Watch the DVD
• Follow the instructions: Read, Log on, Search for and Follow-up.

Watch

• Watch the sequence about Slovakia (clip no.9).
• If necessary look at the film clip again to refresh your memory.

Read

Slovakia is one of the youngest countries of this continent. It lies in the middle of Europe.
The maximum length of the country from east to west is 428 km and from north to south195 km. It is about the size of Denmark, or Croatia, but larger than Holland, Belgium or Switzerland. Slovakia borders with five countries; it shares the longest border – 679 km with Hungary.
Summer in Slovakia is the time for folklore festivals. Festivals in Slovakia take many forms and take place in every region in the country. When you visit Slovakia. always check for events in the region where you are going.

Log on

Go to the following sites:
· http://www.slovakspectator.sk/
· http://www.slovensko.com/
· http://europa.eu.int/abc/maps/members/slovakia_en.htm
· http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_Slovakia
· http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slovakia
· http://www.slovakia.org/
· http://www.sacr.sk/
· http://www.slovensko.com/
· http://www.slovak.com/
· http://www.region.sk/

Search for information about

• The Slovak people; number of inhabitants, the average age of the inhabitants, population density and minorities.
• Slovakia borders with five countries, search for their names.
• The name of the capital of Slovakia.
• The currency, also compared to the Euro.
• The form of state.
• Time zone of Slovakia.
• The reason of the separation from the Czech Republic·
• In the clip is spoken about Empress Maria Théresia, try to find out something about her.·
• Fujura flute dancing·
• The Slovak language and folklore·
• Educational system
  

Follow up

What to do next

• Go to the internet and collect as much information as possible about Slovakia.
• Use your findings to make a web page for the web site of your school in which you show the results of your research.
  Try to include
  o a map of the country including the countries surrounding Slovakia
  o the flag of Slovakia
  o a picture of the currency (coins and banknotes)
  o the Slovak alphabet with its accents.
  o information on how you can go to Slovakia
  o information on one of the following topics
  § educational system in Slovakia
  § industry in Slovakia
  § tourist information about the capital of Slovakia
  § interesting places to visit
  § the Empress Maria Théresia.

Presentation

• Your entry should be set out as a web page for the school web-site.
• Remember to keep your material clear and uncluttered.
• The layout is very important.
• Use pictures and photos.
• The whole effect of your page should be to invite people to read it.
  ..

Materials

• DVD player·
• DVD Coming Home to Europe
• Computer with printer and internet connection