And that’s just the beginning. Upon pulling up to the school, we were greeted with what felt like 50 students at the gate. We walked in through the sea of students greeting us with waves, "hellos" and smiles to the main office.
Sarah, Sara and I planned to teach an English class to Telugu speaking students. Last week our leaders, Dana and Missy, along with HOINA staff member Buji, spoke with the headmaster of the school. He asked that we come and review with the students lessons they were just tested on. The value of us teaching, we’re told, is to introduce the students to the American English accent.
Upon entering our ninth class, the teacher told us the book we prepared from is too advance for her class. She then gave us a student’s reader and told us which story to review. After introducing us, she lingered for maybe three minutes as we read the story to the class. Then we were on our own.
- Left, Sarah asking the students for "thumbs up" to signal understanding. Right, Ramesh helping us lead the class.
Luckily Ramesh, a HOINA boy, took charge and began translating our words to Telegu and leading his fellow students. I felt really proud of his abilities – both in English and leadership – surprising after just two weeks with the HOINA children.Our class had an odd ratio -- just six boys sitting on the right side of the room and 20 or more girls on the left. All of the children sat cross-legged on the concrete floor. The room, dimly lit by windows, was devoid of lighting fixtures. Stains and cracks filled the walls, yet the children stood out as very polished and happy.
The impromptu lesson focused on pronunciation and vocabulary. Applause and “thumbs up” provided our universal humor. Each time we asked if the students understood the meaning of a word, we’d look for thumbs up. After teaching for an hour, we dismissed our class even though the teacher didn’t return. We couldn’t find her and all of the other children were playing in the courtyard. It was 12:15 and lunch is supposed to be at one. Why weren’t the children in class?
A question that I suppose can’t be solved today.