Balancing Act: AMIT’s Role in Supporting Hungarian Language Education Engaging Diverse Learners while Maintaining Group Harmony

Type of Abstract (select): Paper presentation

Abstract (max. 250 words):
The American Hungarian Schools Association (AMIT) plays a vital role in advancing Hungarian language education across North America and beyond. As the number of students learning Hungarian as a second language continues to grow, AMIT’s mission to bridge cultural and linguistic gaps becomes increasingly essential. AMIT not only maintains a viable network of American-Hungarian schools but also provides professional development for educators, many of whom are passionate volunteers without formal training. A significant challenge faced by AMIT teachers is the growing digital addiction among students, which negatively impacts attention and cognitive development, contributing to a rise in special educational needs (SEN), such as attention deficit, hyperactivity, and learning disabilities. Teachers are tasked with engaging these students effectively while preserving group dynamics and cohesion.
This session will explore how AMIT supports educators by providing targeted training, resources, and fostering collaboration among teachers, students, and parents. These efforts ensure the sustainability of Hungarian language education within the diaspora, while also promoting an inclusive environment for learners with diverse needs. Additionally, the session will offer insights into the role of umbrella organizations in supporting bilingual education and how they can help bridge generational and linguistic gaps. Strategies for balancing support for individual needs with group harmony will be discussed, along with practical approaches for creating adaptable, supportive teaching environments.


Brief Professional Bio (max. 100 words):
Katalin Petreczky was raised in Budapest, Hungary. She studied at Kossuth University in Debrecen and at Bielefeld University in Germany. Katalin has been working for over 20 years as German as a second language teacher at the Deutsche Sprachschule Long Island (DSSLI).She is also a founder and co-president of AMIT, American-Hungarian School's Association. In this capacity she organizes conferences, workshops, webinars and reading camps, edits the organization's newsletter, represents the organization and reports on its activities.