The mission of transforming the education in Rwanda is the focus of IEE (Inspire Educate and Empower Rwanda) to improve English language skills for educational practice and teaching.
It was working with teachers and mentors in Rwanda that I realised they are all eager to learn and motivated to use English as an instrument for teaching and learning. They can move from Kinyarwanda to English language remarkably well. This practice provides an appropriate insight of different context and a huge impact for teaching and learning.
It was a sunny day as all the other days since I arrived in Rwanda. The school was always a busy place and I used to spend time with students and teachers. That day was not different. After many hours in the library listening the students’ reading, I heard my name out loud from outside. It was a mix of anxiety, happiness and emotion when I saw my colleague from Angus, Scotland, and his family. I was delighted with the visit and the lovely experience to see familiar faces being so far from home.
What a great opportunity to take them around the school to introduce GS Rango, the staff and the students.
The GLP teachers from Scotland shared their outstanding skills, knowledge and experience as professionals with the IEE Mentors in Rwanda – Kigali.
The learning and teaching development gave to all of us a range of tools relating to building up capacity and competency from basic know-how to more complex and advanced understanding of managing group work, feedback, assessment, reading, speaking, writing and parents involvement.
Take a break and the oportunity to travel to Africa. Living and working in Rwanda was an exhilarating experience I had. I lived the culture, the place and got to know the people. A piece of my heart was left with everyone I met. Open your heart, be ready to learn and get prepared to be transformed. If you think that you can make a difference and impact other people’s life, wait and see. Above all, it will change you and your own world forever.
It is a challenge and commitment to learn a new language, but with some strategies and resources in place it is possible to learn how to speak in Kinyarwanda.
I recommend a phrase book. It is similar to a dictionary, but for phrases. It is helpful to memorise sentences and phrases that you need daily. I call it a “survival language.” I also have an app on my phone that helps me to work on my pronunciation and get familiar with Kinyarwanda vocabulary.
However, if you want to learn how to speak in Kinyarwanda, you have to practice the language out of a book. And if you want to learn it quickly, well, you have just to start it. Practice the language everyday. With fulltime dediction the whole process will take longer than 30 days.
There is an article published in TES magazine and website about my summer holiday in Rwanda. It is just a glimpse of what it was as I find it very hard to summarise in few words that unique experience.
Your views scotletters@tesglobal.com
News | Published in TESS on 28 August, 2015
1- Would you move to Rwanda?
2- Would you come back?
3- How do I know my talents?
4- How to not disappoint my family if I choose a profession that is not the one that they want me to follow?
5- How long does it take to get married in Scotland?
6- What do I have to do to go abroad?
7- What are you going to leave for us that will inspire us, that will remind us that you were here?
The beauty of life is to be thankful for what you have at any time. You can be surprised by a smile, be excited for an invitation and amazed when things are bleak. I find life is a lot easier the lower I keep my expectations as it helps me to understand the reality. With a positive attitude you see the bright side of life. So, strive for the best you can have in your life.
My happiness is to enjoy what I do, wherever I am and with whatever I have.
My experience at GS Rango Secondary school brought peace to my heart and love to my soul. While I was listening to someone, I was learning. When I was looking at something, I was delighted at the thought of reaching that land. In the classroom I saw enthusiasm, bright minds and hard working people. They are all eager to learn and ambitious for a better future.
This blog aims to share my personal and professional experience in Rwanda
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