The question, “Can you teach English?” is constantly asked of us and we unfortunately have had to turn down the request…until NOW!!!
Along with some friends, we put on English classes in the Samaki Pattana community over school break for 36 kids ranging from 5 – 16 years of age. Adjectives! Superlatives! Onomatopoeias (do you even know what they are?)! Our kids know ‘em all!
Youth commented that at school, they don’t understand the English lessons and the majority of them consider English their weakest subject. However, the lessons were fun and everyone regardless of skill level participated and improved.
Besides improving language skills, one of the biggest goals of teaching was to also teach about other life lessons and character development: service, hard work, helping others, working together, among others.
The last day of class, the youth composed a song together about our community together. Here are a couple verses:
Pu sings a song.
Earn dances too much.
We like to learn English.
We study English.
I cook for kids.
We help others.
We go to school.
They give pencils to kids.
Chorus:
Samaki Pattana, this is our home.
Samaki Pattana, this is our home.
Doesn’t it make you want to move into Samaki Pattana, too?
The beautiful faces of the 10+ yrs-old class.
Huge thanks to Cyndi, John, and David for bringing their stellar English-teaching skills and their big hearts.
Huge thanks to Cyndi, John, and David for bringing their stellar English-teaching skills and their big hearts.
