OF LESSON PLANS AND GOING BEYOND

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”
-Benjamin Franklin
Throughout my time as an English teaching volunteer, I have tried to live by these words. Whether it’s a lesson about flavors of the world, free-time activities or even something seemingly routine as talking about the weather, the aim was always to encourage students to participate and have an interactive experience in class.
OF LESSON PLANS AND GOING BEYOND
To help me in this regard, I designed a rewards system for individual and group participation, whereby students would receive a prize (which included stickers, color pencils, badges, medals and keychains) if they followed the 5 simple class rules i.e. 100% English, Respect, No Distractions, Raise Your Hand and Have Fun! (Yes, having fun was a rule since I wanted them to enjoy English class and not feel forced to learn the language since they’ve been instructed to.)
Since my task was to focus on improving students’ listening and speaking skills, the lesson plans were usually designed in such a way that gave the students a chance to converse in English, improve their pronunciation and understand the topics in a more practical manner. Games such as rock-paper-scissors, tic-tac-toe and hangman were quite handy in deciding turns and tallying scores. And since these games are already popular in Chile, it was not difficult to explain the rules of the game. The resources provided by the NVC help immensely in designing particular activities/games based on the topic in hand. Tongue twisters were quite a hit with the students too, as they tried to outpace each other by trying to repeat the phrase as rapidly as they can; all the while expanding their vocabulary and pronunciation.
The students’ enthusiasm, positive attitude and eagerness to learn English were the most satisfying aspects for me. In order to maintain that level of interest it is up to us as volunteers to think creatively, and go beyond the lesson plan. So once in a while, the students and I would exchange roles and they would teach me about Chile; its food, culture, festivities, and some slang. We would also discuss about music, sports, and movies; most of them were quite curious to know about India as well.
The extra- curricular activities such as Spelling Bee, Karaoke, Scavenger Hunt and The Amazing Race were also much loved by my students, as it wasn’t just a usual class; instead they got an opportunity to follow Rule 5 (Have Fun!) to a tee, by learning to spell new words, sing their favorite English pop songs, or decipher tricky riddles to win a race.
I would especially like to mention the support and guidance given by my head teachers in both the schools, the other teaching and support staff, and most importantly the directors of both schools who were all very warm, cooperative, and always ready to help in any situation. My experience at the English Winter Camp was also very positive. It was heartening to see students actively take part in all the activities and games, coming up with innovative ideas, and being very open-minded about their approach towards improving their English.
LIFE AT HOME AND WAYFARING
Coming to my host family, I couldn’t have hoped for a better living situation. Although my host family consisted of just my host dad and his son, their extended family and friends were equally gracious and welcoming to me. My host family was kind enough to provide vegetarian food, even though it used to be inconvenient at times to them. Their help and advice throughout my stay was of immense help and made me feel very comfortable. Living in a small and well-knit community, I became familiarized with the locals of the town. Everybody I came across, be it the neighbors, shopkeepers, barber or school bus drivers, they were all very friendly and helpful to me; and more often than not, they used to be parents or guardians of my students.
During me free time I used to play football and volleyball at the local gymnasium, which was quite refreshing and energizing. If there was a long-weekend (and there were quite a few!), I would travel to other cities such as Valparaiso, La Serena and Pucon to experience the array of beautiful landscapes and rich cultural heritage that Chile possesses.
PARTING THOUGHTS
The one outstanding feature for me during this Program has been the people of Chile. The breathtaking scenery, diverse climates and delicious cuisine are accentuated by the warm and friendly nature of Chileans, who are ever-welcoming and hospitable to foreigners. Coming from India, I didn’t know what to expect since the cultures and way of life in India and Chile are quite different, and so I was a bit apprehensive initially. However, this apprehension soon gave way to excitement and eagerness to explore the various facets of Chile and discover all the unique elements that make Chile what it is.
Although being a vegetarian I could not taste most of the typical food of Chile, I loved to gorge on ‘empanada de queso’ quite often. The traditional desserts and pastries were delicious too, apart from the renowned Chilean wine, which does not need any endorsement to be counted as among the world’s best.
In conclusion, to say that my experience with this Program has been delightful and satisfying would be an understatement. It has exceeded my expectations and has helped me make a lot of memories that I would cherish for a long time. Hence, for anyone looking to have an enriching teaching experience, I encourage you to avail of this wonderful opportunity and to be a part of this Program. It would be one of the best decisions of your life!