Yesterday we completed the first five days of teaching English at Khagendranath Smriti Madhyamik Siksha Kendra Jharkhali School. We have doubled in size since Tuesday growing from just under 100 to 200 pupils. Our age range is from 10 to 17, with boys and girls travelling in from schools three to ten miles distant. We operate eight different class groups with class sizes ranging from twenty to forty five and each taught by two John Scottus TY students and a Loreto Sealdah girl who speaks Bengali. Our adult group of eight, half of whom are professional teachers, circulate in support so that by the end of this first week a good teaching and learning relationship has become established and we are poised to make even more dramatic progress in the week ahead.
Our method is based on sentence production and pronunciation. All the local children possess good vocabulary having been taught through rote system by teachers who themselves are unable to converse in English. It doesn't take long to unlock the potential in young minds eager to communicate in a language which can offer them better opportunities of educational and economic advancement.
2 comments:
I loved reading all the student blogs! you are all doing a wonderful thing! Well done to everyone, including all the teachers!
Same as Carol, the blogs are wonderful to read. I'm so impressed with the insights everyone has into their own unique experience. And love the individual styles of writing. Looking forward to reading more from you all. Well done on the hard work, perseverance and resilience.
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