The Wesleyan Institute of English Language Studies

We have just completed the 7th week of classes for English and for Computer Skills at the Wesleyan Institute of English Language Studies.

It took a while to get settled in!  The first several class meetings were a blur of confusion of new students appearing in the seats without being processed correctly (those interested were to check with the program secretary who was the first pre-requisite filter).  Because I didn't know those who registered properly from those who didn't, the admission sifting went on and on - and was time consuming!  Each class began with an extended time of the program secretary trying to get a handle on things (thankfully!) and my waiting "my turn" with the class.   The night I had 37 in one class was a real hoot!  Everyone had "registered" - boy, was I ever glad our helper was there that night!

But, we are all set now.   20 (or so (:  ) in each of the beginner classes and 10-12 in the more advanced ones.  On any given night, about three to four do not show.

I can match name and face of my students - all 60+  of them!  This was a biggie for me!  Larry has his 20 down pat, too.  These are men and women eager to learn and who are learning well.  A joy for any teacher!

Some ladies of the ladies in one of the beginner classes.  Larry had them in stitches!

These guys are too much fun!

In the advanced English classes, we have the #2 Mayor of Anse-a-Galets (evidently, there are three mayors!), 12 teachers, two doctors, five businessmen, two pastors, a lawyer, and one participant who is currently unemployed.  The professions of those in the beginner classes range from painter and builder, to teachers, to nurses and a doctor, to cooks in the Wesleyan mission guest house, to those who work for Samaritan's Purse, Compassion, International,  a fisherman and the unemployed.  What a great variety of people hungry to learn our language!

There is an total average of 14 to 15 students in Larry's two computer classes.   Each of his students is also in one of the advanced English classes.  So, when they come to class on Monday and Wednesday evenings, they commit to three hours of instruction, one English and one computer class!  This is on top of their daily work, which sometimes includes hauling water, cooking for the family and working a nine or ten hour day!   Sometimes, there are stifled yawns!  (I guess!)  But, always a "Hello, Teacher" or "Good evening, Madam Larry" or "Bonswa, Mister Larry"!!   Always a handshake - always a big smile!

They are so very appreciative.  I made and distributed cds to the advanced classes last night.  One of the members of the class received his with a huge smile and said, "I will never forget you, Teacher!"  I bet there are few English teachers who can recall being so overtly appreciated - especially for providing a cd with English vowels, words and sentences!!!  I told him he could forget me....but he had best not forget how to pronounce English vowels properly!!!

One of the primary classes at Institution Mixte Fils Brillant

Last week, we received a phone call at 7:00 in the morning, from one of the advanced students - Genel.  A principal of a school in Anse-A-Galets, he was calling to invite us to visit his school that morning.   (I had asked him previously if I could visit his school one day. )   So, a couple hours later, we were met by him at the gate of the school compound and began a delightful time of observation and instruction about school in Haiti.

One of the middle school classes at The Sunshine School - Institution Mixte Fils Brillant

   





Genel with his teachers

   

Each English class includes instruction in the four domains of ESL - Listening, Writing, Reading and Speaking.

The advanced class' emphasis is currently on writing - constructing sentences and paragraphs, and translating.  Many have a pretty good command of the language and much vocabulary under their belts, but putting their thoughts onto paper correctly is a big challenge.  Since translation is a job that is often available to English speaking Haitians, we are spending ample time on this, too.  We are also fine tuning pronunciation, thus the cd with English vowel work.  The small hand held recorders that Best Buy gave me such a good price on, and the recorders that were donated by a local medical practice will come in handy next week in these classes.

The beginner classes are lively with TPR - Total Physical Response - a multi-sensory approach to acquiring vocabulary.  The students do what I do and say what I say.  This approach is also a great ice breaker, provokes lots of laughter (as when the men get up and do what I have asked the ladies to do!  They listen even more carefully once that happens!)  and gets everyone into the action.

We are using a curriculum I found among the resources here that is less academic but effective in teaching the language through repetition and teacher modeling.  Good for beginners.

The Computer classes have included introduction to keyboarding, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and emailing.  The students have continued to gain much from this instruction and practice - and, at the end of the class period, often have a completed  project which they can use at their job.  A Computer Lab is offered on Thursday nights for two hours.  From time to time, the students' teachers coordinate, and the result is a laboriously but beautifully typed and printed assignment!

Our classes in this term continue until the last week in April - eight more meetings with each group.  I imagine the time will fly (an idiom we discussed in class last week!).  

In the month of June, we will be offering a English short course for beginners - basically those we had to turn away this term - and probably will continue with computer instruction, as well.  There will also be a class for W.I.S.H. (West Indies Self-Help - sister non-profit organization headed up by Global Partners missionaries) employees, provided by the organization.  

The students are asking when the next term will start.   I think that's a good sign!