The purpose of this study is to describe the current foreign language (FL) assessment and feedback practices as reported by 213 experienced primary teachers in Slovenia and Spain. An ad hoc questionnaire was designed, validated and administered to 113 Slovenian and 100 Spanish teachers. The data were collected and analysed with the use of descriptive and inferential statistics. Among the most relevant findings, it is noteworthy that Spanish teachers focus on providing feedback on receptive skills while their Slovenian colleagues pay more attention to productive skills. Also, results from both groups reveal a lack of FL pronunciation feedback and scarce attention to interactive aspects of communication.

Tekst zawiera wyniki badań dotyczących kojarzenia terminu „ramadan” przez uczącą się młodzież województwa podlaskiego. Mieszkający w północno-wschodniej Polsce uczniowie i studenci mają możliwość częściej, niż ich rówieśnicy w innych rejonach Polski spotykać się z islamem, ponieważ to właśnie na północnym Podlasiu zamieszkują potomkowie osiadłych tu przed wiekami Tatarów. Dziś społeczność tatarska jest niewielka, jej większość stanowią Tatarzy zamieszkali w rozproszeniu w Gdańsku i Białymstoku. To właśnie w północno- -wschodniej Polsce termin „Ramadan Bajram” można spotkać w przestrzeni komunikacyjnej, głównie w związku z relacjami medialnymi z obchodów tatarskiego święta.W badaniach, które przeprowadzono jeszcze przed serią zamachów terrorystycznych w Europie oraz przez wojną w Syrii, poproszono młodych uczących się o skojarzenia związane z terminem „Ramadan Bajram”. Badaniami objęto 908 uczniów i studentów województwa podlaskiego, którzy stanowili próbę reprezentatywną.

Many countries across the world have been lowering the starting age of foreign language learning (FLL) to an earlier age. While the roles of learners and teachers have mostly been studied from a variety of perspectives, learners’ parents have often been examined for their opinions of FLL, but not as real partners who need the same amount of ‘reculturing’ as other involved stakeholders. In the presented case study, parents were involved in the planning and implementing of lowering the FLL starting age from age 9 to age 6. The results of the questionnaire and the teachers’ interviews show that ‘recultured’ parents’ attitudes to lowering the starting age can differ greatly from those of ‘non-recultured’ parents if the most important variables for the successful implementation of an educational change have been fulfilled. The ‘recultured’ parents’ model can be of great help to decision makers and other stakeholders involved in teaching foreign languages.

This paper presents empirical research concerning Slovenian and Hungarian young learners’ (7–11 years of age) travel experiences, perceptions, and beliefs about their neighbouring countries (Austria, Croatia, Hungary, and Slovenia) and their citizens in order to enhance effective cross-border institutional cooperation. A non-random sample of young learners (n=200) from Slovenian and Hungarian primary schools in the border area participated in the study. The results highlight that young learners’ personal contacts with local people and travel events develop positive perceptions and understanding of their neighbouring national groups. Young learners also perceive socio-economic inequalities, however their knowledge of neighbouring languages is the key element in developing their awareness of and positive attitudes to cross-border cooperation.