Our first day (Tuesday 17th August) was mostly an introduction day. We observed each lesson that we would soon be teaching and were transported back to our lives as high school students, as we wrote pages upon pages of notes, trying to grasp the previous knowledge of the kids, where to start, what ages they were and the level of organisation that each different school had.
Our Schedule
8.00am-10.00am: Boeug Kok Youth School
We have two classes at the Youth School - firstly 6 to 10 year olds and then 10 to 18 year olds. We found the system of teaching quite dull - mostly writing vocabulary in their notebooks and then repeating the words aloud. The younger kids in particular found it extremely wary and dull. The older kids were more attentive, but we still feel we have a lot that we can teach them. Our main point of concern was whether the kids where actually absorbing the information properly or not. The younger ones definitely need a lot more colour and games to stay interested!
1.30pm-4.30pm: Tiny Toones Youth Group
Despite the three hour stint, Tiny Toones was where we did the least of all three work placements. The teacher's name is Cobra (yes!) and the kids seem to be working at about GCSE level. They follow a textbook - Cutting Edge, and it's great seeing the references to Madonna and Tom Cruise, especially as none of the kids have any idea who they are. Ooh, I should probably tell you that Tiny Toones is primarily a centre for teaching and practicing breakdancing. Amazing way to get the kids to want to learn, and they really stick by the idea that fun = learning. Check out the website. http://tinytoones.org/
5.30pm-7.30pm: Lakeside School
Tired from the length of the day already, we headed off to our final placement. The first hour at Lakeside we felt pretty useless. Again, they use a textbook called First Choice. What was interesting was that there was another volunteer working there, a typically American guy also called Will. I say typically in a good way - outgoing and friendly, he made us feel more at home with the process.
It was in the second hour that we really got the time to shine - and have already decided this is our favourite class of all. Ages ranging from 18 to 22, the students in the final class are practically fluent, and the Khmer teacher almost as good as ourselves. What he really wants them to learn is pronunciation as well as idiomatic expression. Can I be the first to say hellllll yeeeeeeeeeah! It's really relaxing and fun and the students are great to teach.
A range of different kids to be sure.
More tomorrow...once I've actually had a hand at proper teaching!
Juliet
We have two classes at the Youth School - firstly 6 to 10 year olds and then 10 to 18 year olds. We found the system of teaching quite dull - mostly writing vocabulary in their notebooks and then repeating the words aloud. The younger kids in particular found it extremely wary and dull. The older kids were more attentive, but we still feel we have a lot that we can teach them. Our main point of concern was whether the kids where actually absorbing the information properly or not. The younger ones definitely need a lot more colour and games to stay interested!
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