VMU World Lithuanian University invites teachers from Lithuanian and Lithuanian heritage schools abroad to implement the informal educational program “Challenges of Lithuanian Identity and Family Narratives” and to participate in its online training sessions.

This program aims to strengthen Lithuanian identity by fostering children’s ability to explore their roots, connect major and minor narratives essential for forming national identity, and understand the history of Lithuanian migration and the current state of the Lithuanian diaspora.

Program Overview:

• Implementation Duration: 1-2 academic years.
• Teacher Training and Assessments: Conducted online.
• Flexibility: Can complement teachers’ existing curriculum choices.
• Applicability: Suitable for Lithuanian and diaspora schools.
• Target Audience: Children of various age groups.
• Format: Can be conducted in person and/or online.
• Frequency: Designed for weekly or less frequent sessions.
• Prerequisites: No prior knowledge of Lithuanian diaspora history or migration required.
• Training Duration: 5 hours (2 online sessions).
• Group Work: 5 hours (2 online sessions).

Program Structure:

• Target Audience: Suitable for students of all ages.
• Content: Covers themes of personal genealogy, family history, city and national history, and Lithuanian migration.
• Topics: 12 themes, spanning approximately 100 pages of lesson descriptions and materials, adaptable for in-class or online use. Each theme can be expanded into 3-4 lessons, depending on student engagement and motivation.
• Approach: Starts with exploring local heroes and their stories (e.g., a grandparent or a community member with a significant historical connection) and progresses to investigating personal family histories and their “secrets.”
• Further Exploration: Encourages deeper study of family histories through narratives, objects, and photographs, creating timelines of events at local, national, and global levels, mapping migration routes, and incorporating Lithuanian diaspora stories.
• Training sessions will take place online over two days, after which participants will independently implement the program, applying the theoretical material. Intermediate and final assessments (December and April) will also be conducted online.

Benefits for Lithuanian Language Education:

The program includes numerous tasks that enhance language learning skills (reading, writing, listening, comprehension, speaking). Its flexible materials allow teachers to adapt the content to meet the specific needs of their classes.

Key Information:

• Training Dates: August 23 and September 6, 2024.
• Program Duration: August 23, 2024 – May 30, 2025.
• Workload: 53 academic hours (2 ECTS).
• Language: Lithuanian.
• Fee: €65.
• Certification: VDU certificate or academic transcript.

Important Information

• Training Dates: August 23 and September 6, 2024
• Total Program Duration (including practical application): August 23, 2024 – May 30, 2025
• Workload: 53 academic hours (2 ECTS)
• Language: Lithuanian
• Fee: €65
• Recognition of Acquired Competencies: VDU certificate or academic transcript.

Course prepared by:
VMU Worlds Lithuanian University and VMU Education Academy