Back to School

---

One of the other things that I was keen to do, and that has taken a while to happen (for all sorts of reasons) was to teach in a local Elementary School, mainly to demonstrate that Active Learning Methods (which I teach on the Higher Diploma Programme) can be applied in Ethiopian schools with large classes.

My first lesson was a nightmare! I expected better behaviour and the Module that I was given to teach suggested quite a high level of English. Neither assumption was correct.

In my second lesson, I displayed ground rules and lowered my expectations. I teach one English lesson a week to a Grade 6 class (ages 10 - approx. 16). Now, lessons are going well and the students seem to have got used to my Farenji ways of teaching. It is, however, quite a challenge making the Modules interesting and active, but I seem to be managing.

There are many differences between British and Ethiopian Schools. There are virtually no resources - and nothing on the walls. The classes are large (I have 46, which is small by Ethiopian standards) and of mixed ages as students often drop out of education but return later when they are able. Another challenge is that the teaching is book based, but on a table of 9 students, there will typically be 2 books.

I cannot get used to the fact that if the next teacher doesn’t turn up you simply leave the class unsupervised. One week, I played Heads Down, Thumbs Up, with the class to fill in some time until a teacher arrived (I still ended up leaving), which took a while to explain, but they all joined in - even the teenagers. I also taught them Flea Fly Flo - a song I have done with every class I have taught, until we were told off by another teacher for disturbing his class!

---

Photos

Active Learning
Taking Class 6B on an imaginary journey.

Class 6B
There are few resources, and nothing on the walls.

Class 6B
There is little natural light, and no electricity, in the classroom.

Class 6B
Students are a range of ages.

New Classroom Block
The school has built new classrooms to accommodate more students and reduce class sizes, but cannot afford to complete them. The main problem is lack of weather-proofing.

Comments

[AR]

good job
Hi Kim, I think you are doing a great job. I'm from Ethiopia and I live in the states. One day I too plan to go back and teach. I just wanted to tell you how appreciated you are. Thank you.