On 14–16 March 1997, an important nationwide event called the “Spring Workshops of the Association of Polish Language Teachers (SNAP)” was held at the School Complex of Services and Commerce in Bolesławiec.
SNAP brings together Polish language teachers from all over Poland, from primary schools to higher-education institutions. Its aim is to provide Polish language teachers with methodological and practical support. Several dozen teachers and methodological advisers from across the country came to Bolesławiec. The official opening, attended by city authorities represented by Deputy Mayor J. Jasiukiewicz, took place on 14 March 1997 in the ZSHiU building. The ceremony was enhanced by a performance by the “Mały Bolesławiec” ensemble, and at the Small Theatre, by the MDK theatre studio with a “Etiuda” performance. For two days, the teachers discussed the fundamental issues of a Polish language teacher’s work—the new school-leaving examination: what form it would take and what it would mean for Polish language teachers. Prof. Dr J. Kolbuszewski from the University of Wrocław spoke about the issue of local homelands in “The Distant and Near Homeland,” providing a basis for discussion about regionalism in the work of a Polish language teacher.
Many other important matters, such as the Polish language teacher’s professional workshop, the teacher’s culture-forming role at school, the selection of required reading during the period of systemic transformation, language errors, as well as the role of the media and its influence on young people’s language, were also discussed.
On the third day, some of the participants toured Bolesławiec and both museums, learning about the history of the town and admiring the town, its hospitality and the organization of the event.
The teachers of the School Complex of Commerce and Services carried out this major organizational effort, while the inspiration for the entire event in Bolesławiec and its principal organizer was Krystyna Boratyńska, Deputy Director of ZSHiU and a member of SNAP’s National Board, which is headed by Marta Sobocińska from Warsaw. Organizational assistance was provided by I. Rutkowska and E. Zbroja from MDK, Alicja Brusiło and Bożena Jędrzejczyk from BOK.
One final reflection: Polish language teachers came to the workshops from as far as Jasło and Szczecin, as well as from Kraków and Tczew, but only a few Polish language teachers from Bolesławiec and one person from Jelenia Góra took advantage of this interesting offering!