ESL is Growing

While Vincent was in the US he met with several instructors of ESL and formed an important ongoing relationship. This partnership means ESL teachers are coming to Rwanda in 2013. Linda and Hodge Barton and Lisa Harpster are the professionals coming.

Linda Barton, English language specialist, has been a teacher to more than 2,000 students from more 20 different cultural and linguistic backgrounds, ranging in age from 13 well into adulthood. Linda has traveled to more than 21 countries on four continents and taught in several of them. She graduated from Penn State with a BS in Secondary education, MA in Speech Communications and a PhD in Educational Theory and Policy. At present she is retired but doing private tutoring. For 33 years she taught ESL and history at SCASD and overlapped her teaching to include 25 years at PSU as an instructor.

Hodge graduated from Penn State with a degree in elementary education, taught for 30+ years in SCASD (State College Area School District), K-12 ESL, serving students from over 25 different countries and language backgrounds. His graduate work at PSU was in Speech Communication with an emphasis in ESL. He also has traveled to over 20 countries. Hodge's enthusiasm for working with children only parallels his love of sports which adds a welcome dimension to his work with youth.

Lisa Harpster graduated from PSU with a degree in Bio-behavioral health, has taught ESL for 5 years at the high school level in SCASD, and has a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a certification to teach English and ESL. She also brings a lot to the table as a result of her background in theater, hospitality, and health services. She's a great communicator and valued member of the ESL department in the SCASD.

All three have a gift for relating to students which seems to make their students open up and really want to communicate in English. And their energy levels are unparalleled!!!

When sharing their philosophy Linda says, "we teach with an eye toward communicative competence. All too often, students know the rules of usage, but cannot actually use the language itself. When teaching in countries outside of the US, I've found students respond well to the motto, "Use it or lose it!" Drilling that mantra brings language to life for students as they seem to realize that it is not something to be stored in a book which isn't used when the book is closed. The approach we favor more often relies on realia (activities used to relate classroom teaching to real life), as opposed to textbooks; role playing, as opposed to canned dialogue; and activities that engage the learner as part of a group, as opposed to individual predetermined responses in a workbook. Function over form pretty much sums it up."

In August all three will be traveling to Cambodia to teach English for several weeks. This amazing team is planning to travel to Rwanda for several weeks in August 2013. Their focus will be teaching our preschool and primary teachers techniques for their classrooms as well as helping them improve their own English. They will also hold English classes in the daytime and evenings for teens and adults from the community.

Stepping up to teach for now is Maggie a recent college graduate in radio and media. She has already been holding classes as you can see. (please excuse the incorrect camera date) When school is not in session English classes are held for a week or two for children from the community.

This is exactly what Arlene Brown's vision is for the Urukundo Learning Center. Education for all ages for the community.