This week, my school had the honor of hosting the newest group of Armenian Education volunteers for their practice teaching. For four days, 16 trainees taught the 4th, 5th, 6-7th, and 8-10th grade students. The students all told me they had a blast but it was still a learning experience for most of the ‘new’ teachers. Congrats to the trainees on completing their practicum and I know they do great things at their new schools in September.
Most Education volunteers, especially those right out of college, don’t have any classroom teaching experience. And even those who might, it is unlikely that they have TEFL (teaching English as a foreign language) experience. So, after weeks of technical training, they get to put what they have learned into practice.
Every country is different, but here in Armenia, that meant teaching 4 lessons over the week by groups of 4 trainees. Not only do they get to practice their lesson planning and in-classroom teaching skills, but it also gives them a chance to feel what it’s like to co-teach with another person.
Seeing how it’s done!
All the trainees came to our school the week before their practicums. Lucine and I taught the 3rd-grade students to show them an example of how a Peace Corps volunteer co-teaches with an Armenian teacher in the classroom. We welcomed the trainees with traditional bread and salt. And then the students were amazing as always and loved the extra attention. Lucine and I always have fun when we teach and this time was no different except for the 20+ people at the back of the classroom observing. But I know the trainees were watching because I saw they used some of our techniques in their own classes the following week.
Finally getting in front of a classroom
Marti, Nick, Ellie, and Phoebe had the 4th graders. Over the week they taught a variety of topics like simple verb tenses and colors. I knew they did a great job because they got hugs every day they finished by the 4th graders.
Zach, AJ, Lizzie, and David did a whole series on animals and animal characteristics with the 5th graders. The students had so much fun, they were very sad it was only for a week. They invited the trainees to please come back once they were volunteers.
Avery, Melissa, Linden, and Kylie had an awesome final day where they played a version of CLUE as in “Who ate the cookie?” using house place names, time, and past tense action verbs. The 6th and 7th-grade students loved it.
Rebecca, Simon, TJ, and John did so well, that their class size almost doubled on the last day as more students wanted to participate. I’m definitely going to borrow some of their ideas for the 8th, 9th, and 10th graders for next year.
Time to celebrate with some dancing!
After their last class, Lucine organized a coffee break with tasty cakes and gata. And then everyone headed outside so we could celebrate a successful week of teaching with some dancing. Peace Corps staff remarked how well-behaved our students were. And all the trainees were surprised at how well the students had learned to speak English. I can’t take any credit for that as my co-teachers, Lucine and Mary, are amazing teachers. I am so lucky to be working with them.
Finally, we had to say goodbye, but hopefully, a few of the trainees will come back and visit us from time to time. I know the students would love that.
