Getting Schooled by the School Children

In our initial planning and strategy conversations about the Residency, Suresh shared that he would like us to teach conversational English at the Harvest India public school, where the RH orphan kids attend, as well as at the 200 student all female college he recently acquired (called KSK or Kadera Suresh Kumar college). I will admit that I initially did not like this idea. Not a single person in our team is a teacher, nor are we qualified to teach english as a second language. Also only being here for three months I felt like this was a bit ambitious. As John and Suresh shared their heart and vision for teaching English, I began to feel that we may as well give it a try. One of the more valuable assets we bring is our native tongue. Suresh tells us that if you speak English, you are guaranteed a better job here in India. It is also a great strategy to begin building relationships. In addition to teaching at these two schools, we plan to also to have conversational english nights with the students at Vignan University, a Hindu university across the street from the HI public school.


Yesterday we went to visit the HI public school, to see the campus and say hello to the children. While greeting the 3rd/4th Standard (grade) classroom, the kids started to test us. After asking us all the questions they could in English, they then put us through a spelling bee. First it was "Sista Crystal, spell apple." Then they gave me the word umbrella. Now, I'm a visual learner & thinker and I immediately panicked, unable to visualize the word in my head It took a minute to sort out whether there was umbrela, or umbrella. The team helped me out by whispering "double l."


Sorry Mom (who is an English teacher) for bringing you shame.


Then it was Taylor's turn. They gave him "banana". Again panic... I'm having trouble uploading our video from Youtube... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpI7bpW4FaI


Hmmm, seams we all have some serious studying to do :)