PH International

Access Program Summer School

Georgia | English Access Microscholarship Program | 25 Jun 2011





Akhaltsikhe; “It is unbelievable how much more active, motivated and eager to speak in English (even if with mistakes) the children are after those 30 hours of Summer School. Being together for over six hours per day have made them feel like one family; they are no longer ashamed or hesitant to express themselves, even if they make mistakes or say nonsense. They know, they are here to learn and to make mistakes”.

Learner centered and experiential learning approach made the Summer School very interactive and enjoyable for the students. They developed teambuilding, leadership, English speaking and comprehension skills; designed Summer School newspaper, played American sports games, sang American songs and watched American movies in English. Local Peace Corps Volunteers were actively involved in Summer School activities, which gave the students a chance to talk with the native speakers and hear about America from Americans.

“These were unforgettable five days”, Rusudan Shatakishvili, Access Program participant from Gori told the Access Program Coordinator on the final day of the Summer School, - “I not only got a lot of information about America, its history and culture, and developed my language skills, but also, I started to know myself better and became more self-confident”.

“It is an incredible experience to observe children learning and gaining confidence”, said Shorena Merabishvili, Access Program English Teacher in Akhaltsikhe; “It is unbelievable how much more active, motivated and eager to speak in English (even if with mistakes) the children are after those 30 hours of Summer School. Being together for over six hours per day have made them feel like one family; they are no longer ashamed or hesitant to express themselves, even if they make mistakes or say nonsense. They know, they are here to learn and to make mistakes”.

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