In my first year as a student in a course on the advanced study of early years and education at Liverpool Hope University College, I became involved with Hope One World. This is a charity funded by the university, that sends teams of students and lecturers overseas to work on teaching projects in India and Africa. Hope One World also works with SOS Children's Villages, another charity that provides safe havens for orphaned children in over a hundred countries around the world (see box).
I had always liked the idea of working overseas and this seemed like a great opportunity to gain some teaching experience, so I was extremely excited when I was given the chance to go to Sri Lanka. I left with two fellow students and two lecturers. We were not quite sure what to expect as we arrived in the town of Galle, on the south coast, but we were greeted enthusiastically by the village children and members of staff and were instantly made to feel at home.
The village kindergarten contains four classes, three for four-to five-year-olds and one for three-year-olds. We were placed in each of the upper classrooms. Alongside our teaching in the kindergarten, our tutors Anna and Joanne travelled to the other SOS villages throughout Sri Lanka, providing weekend workshops to the kindergarten teachers. These workshops concentrated on giving the teachers an insight into early years methods and provision in England, and also explored issues such as the importance of play and incorporating practical ideas and activities into the curriculum.
At just over 86 per cent of the population, Sri Lanka has a high literacy rate compared with neighbouring countries, and there is evidence of a great value placed on education in the country. There is also a very strong emphasis on learning English as a second language, as it is seen as a growing advantage in employment. Schools are encouraged to include English in their syllabuses from as early an age as possible.
Hamsters and elephants
The teachers were enthusiastic to have us working with them and were keen to see our ideas put into practice with the children, so we began teaching for three-hour sessions each morning on the topics of transport, food and animals. This proved to be challenging. As you could imagine, Sri Lankan children do not know much about hamsters, dogs and ponies. But we had great fun learning about monkeys and elephants!
Much of Sri Lanka's early education follows the Montessori method, but a lack of available resources often means that this is hard to put into practice. Although the classrooms were basic, the Montessori influence was evident in features such as the brightly painted child-size furniture.
Much of the kindergarten programme is formal and takes place with children sitting at their tables, with a strong emphasis on drawing and writing, so we had great fun introducing ideas such as role play, action songs, craft work and exploring the outdoors.
Teaching English as a second language can be very hard work, and having had no previous experience and little training in it I was apprehensive as I walked into the classroom for the first time, armed with a big book and several laminated flashcards. However, by the end of the first week I had 36 children telling me the names and colours of eight different vehicles and singing 'The Wheels on the Bus' - actions and all.
With the project drawing to a close, we left the village feeling deeply emotional but also extremely satisfied at our input. The experience has strengthened my confidence as a teacher and the memories are something that I will definitely take with me into my future career.
Providing hope
SOS Children's Villages were founded in 1949 by Austrian Hermann Gmeiner.Today there are over 420 villages in 131 countries world-wide, which provide a safe and caring environment for children who have been orphaned. Hope One World has formed links with SOS and every year sends groups of students and lecturers to various locations throughout Africa and Asia to work on teaching projects aiding the development of less advantaged communities.
For more information on these organisations visit:
