Education paper by Vermeki, Boglárka
University of Pécs, University of Belgrade

Implementing Learner-Centered Methods in Teaching Hungarian, Especially in Heritage Language Education (Accepted)

Type of Abstract (select):

Abstract (max. 250 words):
This paper aims to present the potential effectiveness of using learner-centered methods in Hungarian teaching contexts, concentrating on the so-called weekend or Sunday schools. Instructors who teach at these kinds of schools must deal with different language levels, age groups and learning styles, all at the same time; this makes it difficult to achieve a great deal of progress, especially in those circumstances when lessons are organized and held only every second weekend.
Learner-centered methods, such as Project Based Learning (PBL), Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT), and Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL), could be a solution for these schools, and to those groups of language learners, in or outside of Hungary, which are similarly mixed. Applying these learner-centered methods, originally created for English as a Second Language, requires some modifications, experience for the teacher, and preparation before the lessons. But it is not impossible to teach our language with these approaches.
Since Hungarian language instruction traditionally focuses on teaching adults, in particular university students, there is a finite amount of resource material for teaching children. Application of the methods mentioned above, however, can be adapted for young learners. This is what inspired us two years ago, when my colleague and I volunteered to share our experiences and good practices with teachers of Hungarian on our website: Midkid.org. Our purpose is to create a collection of ideas of how these learner-centered methods could be used during Hungarian weekend school lessons, and to support teachers of Hungarian worldwide.


Brief Professional Bio (max. 100 words):
After graduation as a teacher of Hungarian language and literature, Hungarian as a foreign language and History in 2009, I continued my studies and became an ESL teacher in 2013 at the same university, at Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary. I have taught Hungarian, English and History mostly for foreigners at an international K-12 school for eight years.
Currently, I am taking my PhD studies in Applied Linguistics at the University of Pécs and working as a visiting lecturer at the University of Belgrade, Serbia.