LEAF-go-VSO
How to Help
|
How to Help |
|
A Little Goes a Long Way Introduction A Grade 3 student recently wrote: "I'm afraid of my future. I hope I know enough knowledge to teach students. Can I answer the questions that the students ask? I must work hard now in order to find a good job. Good luck to me!" Graduates face a number of obstacles in their journey to becoming English teachers equipped to deliver the New Curriculum. These hurdles first emerged in the early days of their own, traditional, education and have continued until their graduation as fresh, hopeful new teachers. They are entering the job market at a time of change and uncertainty, where teachers are expected to deliver new materials, by way of 'new' methods within a predominantly 'new' system. Suffice it to say, they need all the help they can get. To this aim, the previous VSO volunteer established the Twilight Zone - an English library and resource center for students who want to improve their English and teaching skills. As well as being a source of teaching and learning materials, it is also a venue for English Corner, Sunflower meetings and a place where students can meet, study and create an English-speaking environment. In this remote corner of China, which is virtually foreigner-free, this can make an invaluable contribution to their language skills and their motivation to study and learn. The Twilight Zone is also an excellent 'work experience' opportunity for the workers (student volunteers) and the managers - responsible for recruiting, organising materials, running the film club and membership. Despite the difficulties that lie ahead, the prospect of discouragement (from those resistant to change), limited resources and isolation in poor, remote locations, many graduates remain determined to follow pursue a career in teaching. For most, it is the only employment option open to them yet only 50% of the 2006 English Teaching graduates have managed to find jobs. Another Grade 3 student wrote in a letter to me: "I want to stay in Simao Prefecture and go back to the school where I practised teaching. That is a school in the countryside. There are eleven English teachers. Only three teachers are from the English Department so their pronunciation is very bad. The students really desire a good English teacher to teach them. I hope I can teach them after I graduate. I really love them....Thank you for helping me." What we aim to do On this subject, our main aim this year is to further stock-up the Twilight Zone, especially with listening (tapes, VDCs, CDs etc) and self-study materials and reference books that teachers and students can use alone or in study groups. We will also buy practical teaching handbooks and workbooks to assist new and experienced teachers improve their methodologies and ease lesson preparation. We also aim to sponsor students experiencing hardship, by contributing to their term fees. The majority of our students come from very poor farming backgrounds. With parental support and part-time work (often tutoring English by the hour to Middle school pupils) they can scrape by. But buying text books and any supplementary materials is a struggle. How you can help With a donation of as little as £5 made directly to us you can play a vital role in supporting our work in Simao Teachers' College. This money will be used to buy much-needed resources for pre-service English teachers and in-service teachers at the College. At the moment all teaching resources I buy are paid for from our living allowance but this is only enough to cover our food and basic necessities each month. If you have a particular way you would like the money to be spent, just let us know. In return for your donation you can choose a month during which you will receive custom-designed information and a gift from China, as outlined below. What your money can buy
We have recently established a Hardship Fund to support students, through one-off non-repayable grants, who are experiencing financial difficulties. Given that the majority of our students come from poor, farming backgrounds, student hardship is prevalent.
For more information regarding this fund and/or to make a donation, please click on the fish below, or the button at the top of the page.
Not only money ... As well as money to buy materials here, students and teachers can also benefit greatly from other materials that relate to and/or can be used in teaching. These might include, for example: pictures (of people/places), magazines, posters, DVDs (especially of non-Chinese cultures), CDs, non-Chinese literature and music....). If you would like to send something, please email us for an address label. Further suggestions are also available on our Wish List! HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE to world poverty
Thank you! To find out what's happening on the front line visit Work.
|
