Author: Martina Zschocke

Pictures: Kinder Academy

On April 26, 2024, the participants of the German-Polish Kinder Academy Görlitz experienced a special class / course entitled "They're crazy, the Romans! Intercultural Differences and Intercultural Competence", led by Prof. Dr. Martina Zschocke. This event is part of a comprehensive program aimed at getting children between the ages of 8 and 12 interested in science.

The Kinder Academy, an initiative of the SENCKENBERG Museum für Naturkunde Görlitz and the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, has been offering a unique educational program for many semesters. Here, children not only gain an insight into exciting scientific issues, but also have the opportunity to learn and communicate across cultural boundaries. Participation is free and the children receive a Diplom at the end of each semester in recognition of their participation and learning success.

Prof. Dr. Martina Zschocke's lecture highlighted the importance of recognition of cultural differences and the acquisition of intercultural competence by covering topics such as intercultural differences in verbal and non-verbal communication, such as differences in facial expressions, gestures, distance, forms of greeting as well as differences in eating cultures and table manners. These topics were presented in a way that was not only informative but also extremely entertaining, which was met with enthusiasm by the children.

Prof. Zschocke's event impressively demonstrated how effective and enriching intercultural learning can be for children. Prof. Dr. Martina Zschocke managed to convey complex topics in a way that was not only educational but also inspiring, actively involving the children and awakening their interest in other cultures.
This event once again confirmed that the German-Polish Kinder Academy Görlitz is and remains an essential part of the region's cultural and educational commitment.