Tue, 24 May 2011
During the spring semester second year students doing LCS language degree courses were involved in a series of workshops aimed at developing language learning materials to use with children in Norfolk schools, translating well known children's stories in to Spanish and creating games.
After the production was completed, school visits were oganised where the students could experience at first hand the reception of their materials by primary school children. Year 3 Class Teacher at Cringleford Primary School, Laura Palmer, said:
'I was particularly impressed at how the students adapted the tasks to suit the ability of the children they were working with. The children particularly liked reading a story in Spanish. I shall also be using some of the activities in my teaching in future.
Lee Gramlick, one of the LCS student who took part in the production of materials and teaching activities on the day stated:
'The classroom experience was really rewarding and fun to take part in. I did, admittedly, only initially volunteer to go to the school as I felt it showed commitment and enthusiasm towards my course and the University, rather than going because of a strong interest in teaching itself. However, as soon as I arrived at the school (and cheesy as it sounds), and saw the children, with their smiles and eagerness to learn Spanish, my outlook changed completely. It was thoroughly rewarding to have them genuinely interested in what I was teaching them and I felt a strong connection to all the children. I hope I showed them levels of empathy and that my presence (or stupid hat and/or facial hair) did not intimidate them. They seemed to be having a good time! It's safe to say that, although still not a concrete choice of profession, my eyes have genuinely been opened to the possibilities of teaching and the opportunties and rewards it brings.''
'I was particularly impressed at how the students adapted the tasks to suit the ability of the children they were working with. The children particularly liked reading a story in Spanish. I shall also be using some of the activities in my teaching in future.
Lee Gramlick, one of the LCS student who took part in the production of materials and teaching activities on the day stated:
'The classroom experience was really rewarding and fun to take part in. I did, admittedly, only initially volunteer to go to the school as I felt it showed commitment and enthusiasm towards my course and the University, rather than going because of a strong interest in teaching itself. However, as soon as I arrived at the school (and cheesy as it sounds), and saw the children, with their smiles and eagerness to learn Spanish, my outlook changed completely. It was thoroughly rewarding to have them genuinely interested in what I was teaching them and I felt a strong connection to all the children. I hope I showed them levels of empathy and that my presence (or stupid hat and/or facial hair) did not intimidate them. They seemed to be having a good time! It's safe to say that, although still not a concrete choice of profession, my eyes have genuinely been opened to the possibilities of teaching and the opportunties and rewards it brings.''
