MAYS LANDING – Atlantic Cape Community College faculty had an experience this summer unlike most, where they had the opportunity to teach, as well as to learn, at one of the largest and oldest universities in Central Europe.
Elinor Mattern of Bloomfield, retired assistant professor of English at Atlantic Cape; Gwen McIntyre of Ocean City, associate professor of ESL at Atlantic Cape; Shirley Shields of Egg Harbor Township, associate professor of ESL and English at Atlantic Cape; and Rich Russell of Ocean City, assistant professor of English at Atlantic Cape had the opportunity to travel to Prague, Czech Republic, June 25 to July 6, to conduct advanced conversational English classes for graduate students, professors, administrators and staff members of the Czech Technical University.
Nathan Long of Stockton University and Maureen Scalia were also part of the group.
During the two weeks, students explored aspects of American English and American culture while working with their visiting professors to feel more confident in their speaking abilities. Many of these CTU students and professors will be teaching classes and presenting their research in English at a later date.
The university hosted its first-ever literary reading, featuring Mattern, Russell and Long July 4, which was well received by the CTU community.
In addition to their time in the classroom, the professors were also able to explore Prague, including the Old Town section and the Charles Bridge. They enjoyed a private tour of St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague Castle.
On July 5, students and instructors took the metro to Vyšehrad, a 10th century fortification within the city; and some visited Terezin (Thereseinstadt) Concentration Camp.
Mattern and one of her former students Jakub Svatos, now an assistant professor in the Department of Measurement at Czech Technical University, coordinated the program.
