Training

As part of being a volunteer teacher with ILP (International Language Programs), you have to attend a "pre-departure training". So last week, I flew back to Provo one last time to learn all about how to teach and survive in Ukraine. What I got out of it was: boy, do I have a lot to learn!


Their teaching method seems very effective. Basically, we teach by 'total immersion', which means I only speak English to the kids and they're only allowed to speak English in the classroom, no matter how little they know. There are 2 groups of kids I will be teaching: 'Primary' (ages 4-8) and 'Elementary' (ages 7-15), depending on their skill level. In the school I'll be teaching at, "Kiev 2", I'll be teaching both age groups. There will be 3 teachers, and the kids will rotate through our 'activities' throughout the day. That means we'll each prepare 2 lessons a day, that we'll give 3 times each, as the kids rotate through twice. 


The 6 teaching areas we teach are: Arts & Crafts, Games, Gym, Kitchen, Drama, and Shop. Sounds easy enough, right? WRONG! You see, if I were teaching Arts & Crafts, and I wanted to say, make a handprint turkey with the kids, I wouldn't just give them the materials do make it and let them have at it.....no no no. The trick is, you have to TALK about EVERYTHING.....and GET THEM TO TALK, TOO. 


For example, for the feathers, I could ask "What else has feathers besides turkeys? Are they light or heavy? Is this soft or hard? What color is it? Why don't people have feathers? How does it feel? Where does it go? How does it compare to another object? Where is it in relation to another object?.....etc." The more the kids speak, the better. The goal is to get every kid in the room to talk at least once/minute. Even if it means they're just repeating everything you say, they're still speaking, so therefore they're learning.


Now this is harder than you think! In fact, the person training us said that we should be so good at teaching English before we leave, that if we had just a plastic bag, we could get the children to talk about it for the entire lesson.


So, clearly, I have a LOT of work ahead of me during the next week and a half as I prepare....and a LOT of school supplies to buy! I'm bringing 2 big suitcases, one of which will be just school supplies, with everything from construction paper, glue, kids books, and play-doh to marshmallows, kool-aid, kids' cookbooks, and buttons. So my work is definitely set out for me......only 11 more days! Can't wait <3