Teaching English through Local Culture - Community-Based Project

May 08, 2016

Teaching English through Local Culture - Community-Based Project

This initiative is targeted at improving the economic potential of developing small business enterprises by providing relevant, practical English-language education in an effort to facilitate existing and attract new business opportunities.

What?

Free English-language classes that offer children the opportunity to learn the language while exploring and digging deeper into their own traditions, customs, and cuisine. Classes take place at the local community's small businesses such as their parents' shops, restaurants, guesthouses and thus putting children's learning of English in context.

Why?

In order to empower the local population and bridge the language gap between tourists (who have the purchasing power) and local community members (parents and children) so that children can learn to present their traditions and lifestyle using the English language and further learn from communicating with foreigners and so that tourists can get to know and learn to respect the traditional culture and support the sustainability of the local economy, society, and environment

Objectives and Desired Results:

To develop children’s conversational English language skills in real-world situations
To empower and bolster the pride of local people in their heritage and culture
To increase tourists' visits and sales from the community's small businesses - shops, restaurants, guesthouses
To introduce and acquaint foreigners with the local culture and lifestyle in an authentic way
To facilitate the interaction between locals and tourists

How?

By role playing, in a real world environment, actual situations (giving directions, describing food and how it is made, providing services such as accommodation, etc.) where children can get in contact with tourists and invite them to better understand the local culture (as expressed through traditional food, rituals, customs, habits, symbols, dance, music, crafts, means of transportation)

During the 10-week program, children will be exposed to real scenarios that require their understanding and practice of English in order to be able to provide foreign tourists with basic information. The tangible outcome of the program will represent a “Guide book” that would help other children learn the basics of conversational English independently as well as serve as a simplified cartoon guide/map for tourists. The guide will give visibility to the local businesses and allow travelers to find out more about the initiative.

When?

Once a week, every Sunday

Where?

In available locations that are relevant to the current lesson (such as local shop, home stay, restaurant, tourist spot, national park) with the involvement of parents