Training, training, training

My naïve assumption that the English training package had been divided amongst ‘experts’ in particular areas has been shattered. After half an hour with Kumar discussing what he was planning for the next day, he confessed that he has never heard of the topic before. There is nothing helpful in the trainer’s guide. “Perhaps you can deliver it?” Perhaps not, but I was able to make some suggestions to help him out. We did some good professional development activities today, using grade 10 students from the school, to find out about students’ problems in learning English. I was happy watching the teachers sitting cross-legged on the field with a small group of students, encouraging them to talk. We had done some work on phrasing questions beforehand, getting rid of some eg ‘is your teacher bad?’ ‘does your teacher beat you when you make a mistake?’ Lots of good points, which will provide a focus for the classroom research session tomorrow. As we were finishing, a demonstration was parading past the ETC (a frequent occurrence), and a group of women came in with a petition to be delivered to the PM’s residence further down the road. It was a demand for implementation of the legislation for 33% female representation in parliament written and signed on a series of bedsheets. We all added our signatures enthusiastically. There is only one woman in the secondary group.
The atmosphere in the training room is much more positive and relaxed now we know each other better. Many come early in the morning to talk to me – the first time they have every spoken to a native English speaker – and they want me to comment on what they are trying to do in their classrooms. The delightful Lilanath stays at the end of the day, as he is late every morning. ”I do not go to temple and pray to god; I go to the deaf school to teach the children as a volunteer”. We have planned a visit when the training is over. One of Kumar’s better ideas was to form groups by making them pick from a bag of sweets. They are now proud to call themselves ‘milky bites’, ‘choc drops’, ‘mango sucker’ and ‘coffee crème’. The person selected for the house captain role each day (responsible for time management and keeping order) now has a small brass bell. Surya used it very effectively today, especially keeping the disruptive ‘milky bite’ Shiv Narayan under control. He is the class hoodie, with the fur trimmed hood of his anorak permanently up. Today he was also wearing an anti-pollution facemask. Most teachers add extra layers of clothes daily, as the temperature continues to drop; Umapati is growing a winter moustache and we all go to the field to warm up between sessions. The ‘routines’ that Durga and I have created are beginning to have some effect, so now the teachers ask “ where are your objectives?” when a new trainer comes, and point out that he is telling them to develop student-centred teaching, while demonstrating teacher-centred methods. Progress?
David’s teaching goes from good to better. More children come every day, so more name cards have to be made each evening for the following day’s activities. Farmers have also started coming from the fields to hover in the doorway of English lessons to see what the teachers and the strange man are doing. Soon they will be able to join in the chorus of ‘Old Macdonald’.
Good business for the bicycle repair man this week, as we have acquired 3 punctures and a leaking valve! A long cycle ride on Saturday to reach Kulabari, Anita’s village, to meet her family. Aama sends huge bundles of greens for us every other day. Aama was waiting to greet us, the first time I had seen her since she appeared at the end of our bed one morning. At the back of the house are 3 cows, a goat and a vegetable garden with potatoes, spinach, garlic, onions, peppers, chillies, greens, cauliflower, pumpkins, herbs… and more. It is fertilised by the waste from their own biogas producer, which provides their cooking fuel. A splendid example of self sufficient living. We had a lovely afternoon, with lots of snacks and many local children coming round to try out their few words of English.
We are going to Kathmandu on the 18th for a 3 day planning meeting at VSO for an action research workshop in January. On 22nd we are flying to Nepalgunj in SW Nepal and will be met at the airport and transported to Tiger Mountain in Bardia National Park for a Christmas treat. Back here on December 30.