The second week is almost over. It has been filled with language learning and topics which seem to be under the category of “must be covered”. In this category, I include how to deal with a sprained ankle, or the symptoms of diarrhea.
I have been with my host family now since Saturday. I have a total of one (1) shower. The Peace Corps negotiated two (2) showers per week. I had one of my showers on Sunday night, fresh and ready for school. It is now Thursday, and I’m going to try to cash in for that second shower. I have been using baby wipes to shower each day, which with the lack of heat (meaning I’m not a sweaty mess), is not a bad option - but yeah, two (2) showers!
As far as my teacher-training is concerned, we were able to go to a high school here and observe two English classes. There seems to be a very traditional approach to language, and I am going to keep the exact location of the class anonymous so that I can publish my feedback here for you to read. So, feel free to give me feedback on my feedback (which was a rushed, unedited or revised email). The teacher was professional in teaching the class and open to suggestions. He took the time to email me after I told him that I'd provide some feedback if he was interested. Just taking the steps and being open to feedback shows a level of professionalism that is indicative of the past and present of the collective Albanian attitude: Always ready and open to change.
Dear Teacher,
Thanks for allowing us to observe your class. I know it's an obvious burden to have native speakers observing and critiquing your teaching. I myself welcome feedback as you do, even when I don't agree with the feedback - and I'd like to set that premise. I am an outsider. I do know know the normal style of teacher here in Albania, nor do I know your classroom dynamics or the attitudes of the students. My feedback should be seen in that light, as a point to consider not to accept as if I am telling you how to run your classroom After all, it's your classroom and you should consider my feedback in the light of what you think would be best for your situation, but you have also shown a great acceptance of the process by reaching out and being open to feedback in the first place, which I commend you for.
With that super-hedging out of the way, I would like to first tell you that you English is really good - especially your usage of idiomatic expressions. The use of these is really good for the students since they are a part of many native speaker conversations.
The major thing that I think, and I discussed this with some of the other teachers, should be looked at is student focus. I realize there are limitations, meaning you have a book that must be used and probably followed. With that said, I think one change that could be beneficial is to make the class more student focused. What I mean is that your students will probably never go to New Zealand, so why not make the itinerary about a weekend at the beach. I realize this might take a bit more time, but I think a modification like this would make the English real. Perhaps they could even talk about a real trip they are going to take in the future, or read the NZ trip in order to create the basis of their own. These are just ideas, but language is better acquired when the context is real and the content is meaningful to the students.
Point of consideration 1: Make the content student-focused.
The other thing, that is often a point of departure of American Education and other countries is the use of group work. The fact is that group work creates a low-risk situations for students to use and be innovative with language. This will give the students who aren't that good at speaking a low-risk situation in which to speak. Then when they speak in front of the class, when they're called upon to answer a questions, they will have already used the language and be more confident in their production. This production is also then cosigned (supported by) the other members that was in his or her group.
Point of consideration 2: Implement small-group work
These two "points of consideration" could be implemented together. With students utilizing their own meaningful content within the small groups and then presenting it to the class. This would also mean that none of the other groups would have the same information to present because each group would have unique information to present with their own innovative language. This would be both student-centered and communicative (a best-practice), while allowing the students to work in low-risk small groups.
Again, I want to say these are only one person's perspective and are only presented as points for you to consider. You have shown a great willingness to be open to your professional development, both by allowing us in your classroom, and then further reaching out to me. I appreciate that you, and Albania welcome us into your country and are willing participants in any assistance we, as Peace Corps Volunteers, might be able to provide.
I am going to be in Albania through the summer of 2017, so if you have any questions that I might be able to help with, or any questions about what I wrote above, please feel free to contact me.
Take care and thanks again,
Michael D. Winans
Peace Corps Trainee
English Language Professor
Albania/Shqipëria 2015-2017
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