Georgia | English Language through Civic Education | 18 Jul 2012

At Batumi Public School #2, third graders and their English language teacher again, inspired by one of the ELCE program topics of volunteerism, decided to devote half a lesson to joining a class of learning-challenged children and helping them prepare special drawings and letters addressed to parents. Once the drawings and letters were ready, children volunteered to act as postmen and deliver the letters to the addressees. The action stirred a lot of emotions of compassion not only among the students and their teachers, but also among the parents of the children from both classes and other students in the school.

“ELCE Program is not only about teaching English”, said the principal of School #2. “Thanks to this program, our English teachers teach the students much more than just a language: they teach good citizenship and civic responsibility, volunteerism and compassion to those who need help. We are so lucky to have a chance to participate!”

“It was one of those, “oh, my god, I am so glad I am a teacher!” moments that come too infrequently. It was energizing and human, and I was unsure who enjoyed it the most because it was a win-win situation for everyone”, said Charles Kinney, ELCE Program ELTT in Batumi, who could not hide his emotions.