A while before the third mobility, the project coordinators met in several videoconferences to plan the schedule and content of the mobility. In this mobility, the students were to travel to Portugal, so there were a few more planning aspects. These included, for example, finding host families and preparing activities to involve the pupils in the topic of the project in an age-appropriate way. Because of the new "Covid regulation", the German teachers were also allowed to travel with their pupils. This meant that all participants could be present in Almada.

The motto of the mobility to Portugal was "Teaching for all". The main topics were individual learning and the implementation of inclusion in everyday school life. The topic was to be considered and reflected from several perspectives.

For the mobility, the students and teachers had a homework to do. The students created small presentations and digital posters about their views on inclusion and researched short stories to present in Portugal. The teachers created videos showing the way differentiation works in their own school and country. 

There were also other travel preparations. Three students from each country took part in the exchange. They were to stay with host families. Isabel Lopez found host families for all the participants. Especially in times of "Covid" this was difficult. But the hospitality of the Portuguese made it possible. Even before the trip began, the students made first contacts with each other, so that the participants already knew each other before the trip.

Well prepared and full of anticipation, all participants arrived in Almada on 8 November. The exchange could begin.

The Mobility

In the week from 08 November to 12 November, the exchange began in Almada. Almada is very close to the capital Lisbon.

The host school, Escola Secundaria Fernao Mendes Pinto, welcomed three teachers and three students from Lithuania, Slovenia, Greece, Germany and Hungary.

It was going to be a very nice and exciting time in Portugal. Days in which all participants could expand and exchange their knowledge on the topic of mobility and get to know Portugal's impressive history and hospitable culture.

At the end of the exchange, all participants looked back on a harmonious and instructive time. New friendships were formed, and the knowledge of the participants was expanded.

Day 1: Tuesday, 9 November

After the arrival and a welcome meeting on Monday, the participants met on Tuesday morning in the auditorium of the Escola Secundaria Fernao Mendes Pinto. There was an excellent atmosphere and the students reported on their first night in the host families. They introduced each other to their hosts and talked about their interests.

The first item on the program was the official welcome by the headmistress, Dr Ana Pina. The headmistress congratulated the partner schools for choosing the project topics which are so important for education. She wished the participants a pleasant time in Portugal. Afterwards, the project coordinator Isabel Lopez presented the program for the next few days. She also mentioned the many aspects of differentiation in European schools.

Various "icebreakers" brought the participants closer and created a good atmosphere.

After a short break with delicious Portuguese delicacies, the teachers and students formed different international teams. During various tasks, the participants learned a lot about the geography, culture and history of Portugal. There were insights into the culture of the country, which were expanded in an interesting way by the reports and stories of the host teachers. 

The numerous tasks were also interesting for the teachers, as they demonstrated how knowledge can be conveyed in a motivating way and at different levels.

During a tour around the school, the participants were able to gain an insight into the school buildings and the lessons. With regard to the project theme, it became clear how individual learning is implemented in Almada. After the tour, there was an exchange about everyday school life and classrooms in Portugal. The evaluation was very informative because students and teachers did it together.

At the end of the first school day, the project coordinators discussed the thematic work for the following days. The pupils continued to explore the school with their partners. Strengthened by the good food in the school canteen, the afternoon program began.

In the afternoon, the group went on an excursion to a historic ship in the port of Almada. During the tour, they learned how sailors lived and worked in the past. After the tour, the participants visited the old town of Almada. The students got to know each other even better, ate ice cream and had a great time together.

In the late afternoon, the students returned to school and went to their host families. All participants were looking forward to the good Portuguese dinner and the next project day.

Day 2: Wednesday 10 November

On the second day of the mobility, the participants met for the first lesson at the school. After a short activity to start the day, all students and teachers met in the school library of Escola Secundaria Fernao Mendes Pinto. The first item on the program was themed "Tell me a story". All groups of students had brought a story from their home country and presented it bilingually in German and English. Some groups of pupils enriched their stories with small plays and musical contributions. All participants enjoyed the activity and were enthusiastic about the contributions of their peers. After the reading lesson, the pupils were given further tasks about reading and learning in different contexts.

In a session, the teachers discussed the morning activities under the aspects of differentiation and inclusion. Among other things, they talked about the importance of reading and the many ways to promote reading in school. The teacher group concluded that reading is an integral part of the teaching process and that many ways of promoting reading were taught this morning.

Afterwards, the afternoon program was discussed. During a city rally, the participants were to explore Almada. In keeping with the project theme, groups of young people and teachers from different countries were formed. The tasks of the rally were to be completed together and with the involvement of all.

After a snack in the school canteen and a short break, the teams started the city rally. During the city rally, they could admire the beauties of Almada - the statue Christo Rei or the big bridge to Lisbon. But also, the smaller sights of Almada could be experienced. The students enjoyed the rally and met at the end of the afternoon with happy faces.

All tasks were completed and the final result was a jigsaw puzzle that all groups put together. The puzzle showed the importance of inclusion with the saying: "Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance".

Day 3: Thursday 11 November

In the morning of the third day, lessons were on the agenda.  The students attended regular classes. The teachers also attended classes. They experienced how their own subjects are taught in another country and in another school environment. This was followed by a professional discourse and a conversation about the similarities and differences of teaching in Europe. The elements of differentiation and inclusion were also considered and discussed. The pupils also talked about the lessons they had seen. In groups they evaluated and created a virtual exhibition about the lessons.

A highlight of the third school day was also the program item "Do you dance? The pupils and teachers were shown the inclusive effect of dance in a sports lesson and how all learners can be motivated in sports lessons.

Another experience on this school day had to do with Saint Martin. Traditional Saint Martin snacks were served in the Portuguese school for the project participants to taste. This activity also showed how celebrations can create a sense of community in which everyone can participate.

In the afternoon, the participants travelled to Lisbon, the Portuguese capital. The host teachers around Isabel Lopez had planned a great cultural program that was very interesting for all participants. The international groups visited the National Archaeological Museum, the Carriage Museum and the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983.

The day ended with a beautiful sunset in the Portuguese capital.

Day 4: Friday 12 November

On the last day of the mobility, all participants met in the morning at the school in Almada and the daily programme was presented.

The last day was dedicated to evaluation, thematic résumé, but also to last leisure activities with the host families.

The first task for the students was to share their experiences on the project theme and their views on inclusion in the classroom. Afterwards, they had to present their results in an exhibition. The teachers met for a final discussion about the possibilities of differentiation and inclusion. Their own experiences were exchanged and discussed. Many good ideas came together, and the participants enjoyed the positive and constructive working atmosphere.

After a short break, the students shared their presentations and new insights were discussed in the plenary.

At the end of the last school day in Almada, all agreed that these days in Portugal were very profitable and also great days. The life in the host families, the new friendships and also the motivating work on the project theme.  Many participants had tears in their eyes when they said goodbye, but were sure to stay in touch. See you again in Siklos/Hungary in February 2022!