General Impression
Overall Rating: / 10
I enjoyed it. I felt it was a worthwhile experience for me. .Country
I was in a very special part of the country, the former royal town and provincial French capital. Well preserved with a humming tourist trade. I didn't get the opportunity to travel more widely because I was there in the 'burning' season. Very smoky. I'm not sure how representative the 'UNESCO' town is of the rest country.
Project & Staff
The project was well organised. I felt very welcome at the school and I was made to feel very useful by all the staff. The school had 7 classrooms/teachers. Laptop and projector for each. Wifi throughout. Clean. Set in the grounds of a beautiful temple. Right behind the Main Street. I couldn't have asked for better. All the staff were young, smart, professional and motivated.
Tips
I was in school for 4 weeks. The first week I spent settling in. Getting the feel of the school, the curriculum, the general approach of the teachers, and how the students responded. How I could fit into that existing class environment in a positive way. During that first week I started working on how I could be most useful.
Let the teachers manage the teaching. Respect their status with the students. Respect their methods. Remember that when you leave, they will continue.
The students are very curious about foreigners. Some might look to engage with you out of school. Through WhatsApp, Facebook friending, over coffee, to be photographed with you, wanting to know where you are staying and what you are doing after school. I suggest you be ready for that from the start. Be friendly and approachable - in school. Outside school? Do your best to respect the school's culture of teacher as a role model of propriety and manners.
What value did I add? Pronunciation. The teachers have the course material, a high level of English grammar competence, their methodology and their relationship with the students. Their pronunciation is good but a native speaker takes it to the next level.
Let the teachers manage the teaching. Respect their status with the students. Respect their methods. Remember that when you leave, they will continue.
The students are very curious about foreigners. Some might look to engage with you out of school. Through WhatsApp, Facebook friending, over coffee, to be photographed with you, wanting to know where you are staying and what you are doing after school. I suggest you be ready for that from the start. Be friendly and approachable - in school. Outside school? Do your best to respect the school's culture of teacher as a role model of propriety and manners.
What value did I add? Pronunciation. The teachers have the course material, a high level of English grammar competence, their methodology and their relationship with the students. Their pronunciation is good but a native speaker takes it to the next level.