The Teaching English Program

One of the things that I've been working on during the last month is an overview of what the Teaching English Program will look like. For those of you who are interested, I'm posting the text of that overview here. Tomorrow I will be sharing this with the Yearly Meeting Action Planning Committee (of course they will get the Kinyarwanda version that I'm presently having translated). My hope is that it will give us a common understa

Background
Now that the Rwandan government has determined to change the language of education from French to English, the continued success of the Rwandan schools depends on the ability of their teachers to use English. Many of these teachers have very limited English and will need help in order to become proficient enough to conduct their classes in English. All teachers stand to benefit from more English instruction even if they are currently considered proficient by government standards.

The Rwandan Friends church has four secondary schools in which teachers need more English training. Through EFM, American Friends churches have agreed to partner with Rwandan Friends churches in order to provide English teachers for this program for the 2010 and 2011 school years. So far three long-term teachers have been recruited to work with teachers in Kidaho and Butaro and two short-term teachers have been recruited through June of 2010 to work with teachers in Kigali.

Teachers are recruited for this program based on their willingness to serve and their calling to teach English as a ministry and as a way to impart God’s love to others. While there are many ways to be in ministry (evangelizing, preaching, serving, giving, etc.), those involved in this program will strive to minister through teaching English and building relationships with teachers and others in their school’s community.

Mission Statement:

Our purpose is to help teachers in the Rwandan Friends Schools become proficient enough is speaking, hearing, reading and writing English that they may teach their subject well in it. In the process, we want to give them the skills they need to continue learning English even after we’re gone. We also want to enable them to improve their methods and skills as teachers.

Methodology Statement:

Every aspect of our program will reflect God’s love and truth and will be considered ministry. This includes classes, observations, relationships, living situations, etc.

Our program will focus on content related vocabulary that teachers need for their every day classes.

Our program will be student centered. As much as possible we will assess individual needs and tailor content to fit with what teachers need most to learn in order to be effective.

Our program will focus on all four content areas: reading, writing, speaking and listening. We will periodically assess these four areas in order to show progress and identify teachers’ weaknesses and strengths in English and where they need to focus their learning.

Our program will use language learning projects in order to empower teachers to develop their own learning programs so that they can continue to learn English even after this program is over.

Our program will use interactive methods of teaching in order for students to put into practice the things that they are learning. This may include but is not limited to, conversations, games, debates and multi-media presentations.

Role Descriptions:

Program Coordinator

Work closely with school administration and teachers to develop an English teaching program that fulfills this program’s mission as stated above.

Help with program design. Make sure there is consistency between programs at all three schools.

Develop assessment tools and reporting procedures.

In conjunction with school administrators, develop annual or bi-annual reports to be given to the Yearly Meeting.

Recruit and assign teachers to schools and approve their schedules.

Encourage and support program teachers – spiritually, relationally and professionally.

Teach English classes to teachers in Friends schools.

Build relationships with teachers and school administrators and regularly pray for them.

Maintain communication with English teachers. Plan meeting times and facilitate communication between program teachers, between teachers and other EFM team members and between teachers and school staff.

In conjunction with school administration, award certificates to teachers who complete levels of the program.

Long-term Teachers (1 yr. +)

Administer assessments and report progress to school directors.

Plan courses and individual lessons that will focus on all four content areas while also addressing teachers felt needs.

Observe teachers in classroom and give feedback.

Provide structure for language learning projects.

Provide opportunities for teachers to listen to a native English speaker in class, small group and individual settings.

Teach English classes to teachers in Friends schools.

Build relationships with teachers and school administrators and regularly pray for them.

Encourage teachers to learn English and make it as interesting and enjoyable as possible.

Short-term Teachers

Provide conversational practice for teachers.

Teach short courses (1 month) in areas of interest.

Help with English club lessons and/or activities.

Help with assessments and program planning as able.

Work with individuals or small groups.

Assist with PILOT method teaching.

Assist with language learning projects

School Administration

Provide necessary support personnel: school/community guide, support teachers, language helper, person to schedule observations, etc.

Provide incentives and the time for teachers to attend English training.

Work with the program coordinator and program teachers in order to establish a schedule and to maintain consistency between programs at all three schools.

In conjunction with program coordinator, develop annual or bi-annual reports to be given to the Yearly Meeting.

Build relationships with program coordinator and program teachers and regularly pray for them.

Provide space for classes and necessary equipment (i.e. blackboards, desks, chalk, etc.)

Limit outside expectations placed on program teachers so that they can fulfill the mission of this program and keep this program and its ministry as their top priority.

Communicate well with program coordinator and teachers. Let them know quickly about problems or concerns. Inform them of schedule changes, vacations and holidays. Explain to them, or assign someone to explain to them, the many things that Rwandan teachers may already know, but which they will have no idea about. (Grading system, discipline, teacher etiquette, etc.)

Where necessary, provide housing for program teachers.

Give feedback in regards to program effectiveness, assessment techniques, ways to improve the program, etc.

In conjunction with the program coordinator, award certificates to teachers who complete each level of the program.

School Teachers

Participate in assessments and classroom observations.

Regularly attend English classes and put into practice what is learned.

Plan and implement language learning plans and complete homework/practice assignments.

Provide feedback in regards to skills/vocabulary needed, ways to improve program, etc.