Updates from Gondar, Ethiopia
Gondar Community School
Gondar Community School
You may recall that I’m working with a group of seventh
graders to produce the first school newspaper for the Gondar Community School.
I’m happy to report that the actual reporting is underway. The kids are working
on their story assignments (about a recent concert; a spelling bee; and Unity
Day, among others), and are enthusiastically snapping hundreds of photos of
everything that moves. In nine days, we’ll get together to proofread and edit
their copy, and begin the design phase. We should have a newspaper in about
three weeks.
University classes
My two university courses are going pretty well. Our common
roadblock is English, the language of instruction at the University of Gondar,
and a second (or third) language for all of these young people. Many (most?) of
the students are having problems with their English. I’m doing the best I can
to simplify the vocabulary I use in class, and to explain things several ways
(at least). I’m doing more charting and diagramming on the white board, and am emphasizing
the importance of the students completing the assigned readings.
My experience teaching international students at Park
University is helping, though this UoG experience is unique. At Park, there are
lots of native English speakers around to assist, as well as an excellent
academic support center. Here, it’s up to me to model English speech and
grammar. For my student’s sake, I hope I’m up to the challenge.
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