Created: 2025.10.14. 10:12
Lecturers from the Apáczai Csere János Faculty of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences at Széchenyi István University recently held a micro-credential further education programme for teachers. The special two-day event, hosted by the Hungarian Consulate General in Manchester, attracted participants from countries including Switzerland, Sweden and Scotland. The focus of the programme was on developing methodological skills, story and drama pedagogy, and playful identity formation.
Széchenyi István University has long placed great emphasis on training those who teach the Hungarian language and culture within the diaspora. As part of this effort, lecturers from the university’s Faculty of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences recently conducted a training session in Manchester, attended not only by teachers from Hungarian schools in England but also by participants from other countries. The event was hosted at the Hungarian Consulate General.
Now in its eighth year, the conference was organised by the National Federation of Hungarians in England (MAOSZ). Thanks to the collaboration between MAOSZ and Széchenyi István University, and building upon the materials of previous years, this year’s participants were able to earn micro-credentials upon completing the programme modules. Supported by the State Secretariat for National Policy, the programme aimed to enhance the methodological culture of volunteers and teachers working in Hungarian weekend schools across the diaspora. The sessions focused on storytelling, drama pedagogy, and the development of musical and cognitive skills, while also exploring ways to foster national and local identity through gamification.
At Széchenyi István University’s first international micro-credential training, 42 participants received certificates
At the ceremonial opening of the conference, Dr Péter Szilágyi, Deputy State Secretary for National Policy, spoke about the programmes and initiatives offered by the State Secretariat to support Hungarian weekend schools abroad. He was followed by speeches from Dr László Riskó-Nagy, Consul General; Éva Norton, President of MAOSZ; and Dr Viktória Kövecsesné Gősi, Director of the Centre for Teacher and Educator Training at Széchenyi István University. Participants then took part in five workshops designed to develop their skills. As Dr Viktória Kövecsesné Gősi noted, many attendees had already completed the University’s free two-semester specialised postgraduate course in Hungarian Language and Culture Teaching in the Diaspora.
As part of the training, volunteer teachers from the weekend schools learned about drama pedagogy and the design of drama lessons through the workshop led by Anett Balogh-Pécsi, Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Educational Sciences and Psychology. Dr Viktória Kövecsesné Gősi explored the role of storytelling in pedagogy through various exercises, while Dr Erzsébet Várszeginé Gáncs, Assistant Professor, used folk games and songs to demonstrate methods of musical skill development. Assistant Lecturer Evelin Balogh presented strategies for developing the skills essential to learning, and Associate Professor Dr Bálint Lampert led a workshop on fostering attachment to place and local identity. The day concluded with a presentation by Hedvig Gonda, Head of the Hungarian Weekend School in Southampton, who offered insights into the school’s activities and shared effective practices for working with teenagers.
Among the presenters at the Manchester programme were Dr Bálint Lampert, Associate Professor…
… and Dr Viktória Kövecsesné Gősi, Director of the Centre for Teacher and Educator Training at Széchenyi István University.
On the closing day, István Bori, Head of the Department for Diaspora and Márton Áron Programmes at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, provided an overview of the opportunities and training schemes offered by the Ministry. At the end of the programme, 42 participants received micro-credentials recognising its completion, with attendees coming from Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Germany, Austria, England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and the Netherlands.
“This was the first time our University delivered a micro-credential education programme abroad. Such opportunities provide tremendous support for teachers working in the diaspora — not only by enriching their knowledge but also by motivating them through the attention and recognition they receive. The Manchester event was held in a wonderful atmosphere, and it was truly rewarding to see everyone so dedicated during the workshops,” summarised Dr Viktória Kövecsesné Gősi.
Within the framework of Széchenyi István University’s Diaspora Programme, 74 participants have so far completed the two-semester specialised postgraduate course titled ‘Teaching Hungarian Language and Culture in the Diaspora’, while 20 have also gone on to complete the advanced Methodological Master course held in Győr.
