Teaching English language classes was not part of our plan
when we considered project goals for our service. So, when a woman inquired
about English classes for her daughter, I asked her to send her daughter to
speak to me, thinking that would be the end of it.
It wasn’t long before Zoila approached us, asking for help.
She explained that she was enrolled in an English class at the colegio. The
problem was, however, that her teacher didn’t actually know how to speak
English. Instruction consisted of copying sentences in English from the
blackboard, silently. Zoila knew she needed to hear the language and actually
practice speaking to learn English.
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| Practicing English and making Bean Burgers |
So… that is how our Conversational English class began, from
our house, 6 hours per week, 4 committed students. We talk a lot, study new
vocabulary by theme, use sentence frames to prompt conversation, and focus on
forms and functions. This energetic group of 16-18 year-olds don’t hesitate to
laugh at each other and themselves, as they practice aloud and improve with
each session. They decided to commit to 100 hours of instruction/practice,
after which, we will be authorized to provide them official certificates issued
by the SNPP, (Servicio Nacional de Promocion Professional), under the
Paraguayan Ministry of Justice and Work.
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| Other Projects- making glass planters and earrings, while practicing English |
It wasn’t long before younger siblings and other kids took
note of the English classes. Now Mark also teaches a class for younger kids.
They have so much fun learning and “acting out the words”, no one wants the
class to end!
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| Mark's English Class |
We know this project is not sustainable. When we leave
Arazape, the classes will end. But being the only English speakers in our town,
how could we refuse to help these kids? And who knows? Helping them gain some
English skills may even give them a leg up on preparing for the university or
getting a better job.
