Similarity between community service and teaching
The articles that we read on a community service a few weeks ago introduced the idea that community service is a "give-and-take" experience. The volunteers help the people and in return learn new things about themselves and learn new skills from the people he/she is helping. The articles we read this week showed that teaching is also a "give-and-take" relationship. At first glance, I didn't believe this idea. However, after reading the rest of the article I am convinced that this idea is true.
Now that I look back on my volunteering as a tutor this year, I would say that I have acquired a lot of information than taught. I may have taught some Somali kids how to say the ABC's and construct sentences, but I feel as if I have learned more from the students that I have been helping. I have learned so much about their cultures in the past few weeks. I am continuously learning new things about their culture and tradition. For example, this past week was Ramadan. Prior to volunteering, I knew that it was a religious holiday, but I never knew the tradition behind it or how it is celebrated.
Also, I really liked the part of the article on Mayann Nuckolls and her class. I think it is a great idea to teach by relating the topics to the lives of the students. Also, I am rather jealous that those kids were taught how to write rap songs. If anybody knows the secret behind writing good rap songs, they should comment on this post and spread the word!
Alex Christianson
Comments
I agree with you Alex. You can learn so much as a volunteer as well as a teacher. Over the last two weeks I have also had the opportunity to learn about Ramadan. I now know so much more that I had ever imagined. For instance, during class we have to take a 25 minute break for the students to eat and break the fast and then pray. Each day the time this break starts according to what time the sunsets. Later, around 8 or so, class has abother break to pray again. I honestly think I am learnig as much about their culutre as they are about our language. Meanwhile, I have been helping them with their conversational English and I have therefor improved my patience, understanding, and ability to pass knowledge onto others.
Posted by: Chanda Alseth | October 7, 2006 7:22 PM