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Today I learned that simple things as a wooden stick can be enough to entertain a whole class or even more as we saw today. The motivation comes from being a group and experiencing together. The mix of sports, music, Storytelling and learning a language goes way better than by just writing letters in a book. The collectif makes the process being an adventure. I think we should impliment those things more often into our own classroom. We'll try something like that the time I'll come home. (sorry picture upload does not work)

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If you speak the same language it is much easier

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The small things in life really counts! What made my day today was the visit of this vivid school and seeing all those amazing individuals, their different characters and especially their smiles. I understood that not a modern, highly-technicalized school counts but the people who make school how it should be: teachers and students - a grateful place for achieving, exploring, a place where mistakes are a normal part of the learning process. I furthermore learned that on the one hand one cannot not communicate but on the other hand that not being able to tell your thoughts, feelings or needs creates a lack of sharing and caring. The cute little boy next to me asked me something in French but I had no clue unfortunately and vice versa. Today I felt how my students in language class might feel. One of the first things upon my arrival home is to learn French!

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Today, like yesterday, was an extremely impressive day. Music was once again an important bridge that our storyteller incorporated into his story with the children and once again bridged all barriers. An even more impressive sunset tour with the kayaks in the mangroves totally flashed me: the endless nature with the full moon reflecting the plankton in the water was seemingly the most perfect moment I seemed to be in. This experience of nature was spectacular and made me an accidental participant in an unforgettable tour in an environment that was new to me.

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Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies

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A wonderful day! The experience of children loving stories, learning so enthusiastically through play, was inspiring. So often I had to think of the children in my class and who are often exhausting but enrich my life. Children all over the world, despite everything that separates them, are so alike.
I love my job for that. The story of the storyteller was so powerful and I'm sure it planted the seed that hopefully many will find a way to be themselves and not listen so much to what is expected of them.
I grew up with the idea that you have to please a lot of people. For the children, I very much wish that they find their own way.
Even though the state of the school was rather sad, there was so much life today.
The day ended with an incredibly beautiful excursion into the mangroves. I could touch the stars in the water there. Magical! 🤩

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Storytelling has been one of the most valuable ways to transmit information and values from one generation to another. Today I travelled to my childhood when I loved listening to my grandma’s stories, when there was no too much technology as nowadays and everything  was more simple. I felt like these two boys listening carefully and smiling about every joke or gesture made my the storyteller. And the funny thing is that we do not have to understand everything (sometimes I felt a bit lost when he spoke in creole) - body language and a good sense of humour can make your day. It also made me think about how spontaneous children are…the storyteller asked me to come on the “stage” and I was so shy and scared to be in front of these children (me! That have been so many times in this situation…). Therefore I wonder when we lost that spontaneity and became too rational…we need to become sometimes little again and enjoy!

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This morning  showed  me again why I became a teacher- to be a person who can motivate, enthral and inspire pupils like an animator. Learning with joy, not on fear or under pressure, no matter what topic you teach or where you have been teaching.
It‘s a hard job- but children who laugh while learning are worthwhile.

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Today, while we were visiting the school class I walked over to the classroom library and pulled out a handful of books. This is what I found! I was very impressed with the variety and not surprised to find some „one sided stories“ but also excited to see a book written by a local author. All things considered, a lovely combination. As I looked at the shelf, in disarray, I was also encouraged. A messy bookshelf is a lovely view because it means that the books are being used, in some way, by the students.

A precious little boy came and sat next to me and we looked at one of the books together which made me happy and sad-happy because I love reading to children and sad because I couldn’t read it to him because I don’t know French. At that moment, nothing would have made me happier than to read to him and not just look at the picture!

I came here, well aware of the fact that the people here speak French and I don’t. I forgot, however, what it felt like to have this barrier. I haven’t felt it in so long but it has brought back memories of when I first moved to Austria and didn’t speak any German. I wanted so badly to really get to know people but I couldn’t and it’s happened again. We have been privileged to have met so many gorgeous, dynamic, intelligent and strong individuals this week. There were so many times that I wished that I could really speak with them, sans translator! Be it Anne from the Kassaverie yesterday or this fantastic little fellow today in class-I couldn’t share my culture or experiences with them and I couldn’t dig deeper into their lives to learn their perspectives and feelings. I felt paralyzed-only able to offer a meek merci beaucoup.

In my culture it is important to be a gracious guest and it feels like I haven’t done that as well as I would have liked to. Time and knowledge are two of the most important gifts we can give anyone! It is important to have balance in life: not only taking but also giving.

Today, we discussed how language can be a source of power for one group and a source of fear for the other. This reminded me of a situation that we regularly have at our school. It is uncomfortable for me because I don’t know how I truly feel about our school policy and it is difficult to enforce something that you don’t agree with wholeheartedly.

Our school policy says that students should speak German during class time. We have students, of various cultural backgrounds, who speak their mother tongue during class with other students. For the students and teachers who don’t speak their language, I get the impression that they feel uncomfortable and threatened. For the students which I am referring to, they seem proud and a little happy that it bothers the other students. Language is power and at the same time fear. I am sure that the slave‘s masters had the same feeling as my students do.

Today I relearned that language can build bridges and lack of language builds a barrier. Using a language requires not only speaking but also listening with the intent of understanding but that is another entry for another day ☺️

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Today I’ve understood again all children of the world have the same needs. Luckily we can be in our job a part from that.
Not the best equipment is important for successful learning…teacher which are able to teach and love their job!

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Storytelling brings language learning alive and creates a participatory and immersive experience that allows children to enjoy hearing the language in a dynamic, stylistic and entertaining way. Participation using key vocabulary and phrases creates an awareness of rhythm and structure.