Two members from our English E.Teach team were in Solapur from 18th to 19th September, creating awareness about quality education and the role of the English language in vernacular schools, and promoting the use of English E.Teach DVDs for making the whole learning process joyful and effective.
The local media also featured us in their newspapers - मंगलवेढा नगरी & स्वाभिमानी छावा
On the 9th of September 2017, few of the facilitators of the English E.Teach Program, in association
with the Khushi Foundation, organized a ‘Basti Rally’ in the Bhandup (West) slum area of Mumbai. The main message of the rally was to create awareness
amongst the parents in the basti about the importance of sending their children
to Vernacular medium schools and how the English E.Teach program will ensure
that they will never miss out on proper English lessons.
The English
E.Teach schools, whose teachers and students, participated in it were:
1.Durgamata
Vidya Mandir
2. Ahilya
Vidyalaya
3. Yashwant
Chandji Sawant Vidya Mandir
The students and
teachers held up colourful posters and banners showing their prowess in English–
which were all designed and made by them.
At regular
intervals in the rally, the students performed mini-skits and recited some
English poems they learnt at school using our DVDs.
When the locals
saw these young children talk and perform in English, they were pleasantly
surprised and mighty impressed. They were even taking videos of the students on
their cell phones to show their families.
On the whole, it
was a fun event, even for the children who participated, as they felt important
and proud of themselves. Their hard work & English skills were acknowledged
by their entire basti!
Our hope is that
this event, and others like it, will spread the word about our FREE project and
the impact English E.Teach can make in the lives of every student, no matter
how underprivileged.
One
never runs out of quotes about the importance of smiling! Smiling is not only
good for your own wellbeing, but also for those around you. And if life has
been testing you with tough times, it never fails at compensating you, by offering
enough reasons to smile as well. Because
there is nothing in the world more soothing and comforting than a real smile!
Today’s
post is about understanding the importance of a ‘Smiling Teacher’. For
children, their teacher is a bigger role model than even their own mothers, at
times. And it is the prime duty of the teacher to never let them down. A
stressed -out teacher will do more harm than good. So, if you are a teacher, it
is important that you understand the value of your smile.
·The minute the teacher enters the classroom,
there is an aura that she brings along with her/him. What should it ideally be?
If one behaves too strict and difficult, it creates a sort of terrorizing
feeling for the children. Instead, they need a smiling face to enter the class,
who will instantly lighten up the whole classroom and positively influence
every child to participate in the proceedings of the class.
·They feel a sense of security when they see their
teacher smile. This is the one person they can confide in about all their
issues, without being afraid. And mind you, children also have their share of
issues and they need someone to listen to them. Your smile welcomes them to
trust you.
·They feel a sense of freedom as well – freedom
to participate and freedom to question in class. When there is no fear of the
teacher, they are encouraged to speak up more. And it is very important for
their better learning, that their inquisitive mind is never unnecessarily
discouraged.
·Smiles elevates their mood. Maybe they have had
a fall in the morning, or a bad score, or a fight with their best friend or
anything else that has ruined their mood. Then, your smile, your class, YOU – can
help them get over it and smile again. And a sulking child will never learn
even half as much as a happy child will!
·Not just the child’s mood, but your constantly
smiling face, will unconsciously help you also feel better! You will also
forget all your personal problems and merrily get involved with the class.
Coming to English E.Teach and why we have
such a general topic in our ‘Resources for Teachers’ section –
We
started this program - English E.Teach with the sole intention of helping the
children from the vernacular medium schools learn English language (almost) at
par with their counterparts elsewhere, so that tomorrow when they set out in
the world, they also have decent job or career opportunities. Now knowing that
we are mainly dealing with under-privileged children, we need to understand
that we don’t really know what kind of atmosphere they have back at home.
Whether it is conducive for their overall mental and emotional development – we
don’t know. So, it is better that we assume that school is the only place where
they are going to blossom to their full potential. And hence, it becomes our
duty to provide them with an atmosphere which aids them in their overall
development. When will English language skills help them? Only when their minds
will be sound enough to function in a crisis and otherwise!
So,
this is our humble reminder to all our teachers – Smile!! Because your one
smile has the power to change their entire world!!
We, at English E.Teach, are believers in 'Joyful Education'. Rather than being very strict while teaching, we believe in making the mood lighter to impart learning in the most fun manner. In our #PeekintoourDVDs campaign, we let you into the world of English lessons that we have created following the textbook, to make it really interesting for the children.
For standard 4, the year begins with the following action song:
