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JULY 17, 2006
Taking students to the other side of the world
and back
Imagine traveling to Beijing, China for your high
school classes' service-learning project. Well,
students at Winchester High School in Massachusetts
didn't just imagine it--they did it! Using English,
history and communication skills and knowledge
these students travel to China to teach other
young people English. Not only did they offer
a service that had once been forbidden to Chinese
youth in the region, but these students also gained
a new understanding and deep appreciation for
a culture and set of traditions they knew little
about.
An article about this high school classes'
experience was printed in their local newspaper.
Below is an excerpt capturing their experience:
A trip to the Dandelion School would provide
an important service-learning experience for
the WHS students. "When I told the students
about the trip, I made it clear that they weren't
going to stay in a four star hotel," Harvey
said. "I wanted the kids to really think
about why they wanted to go."
Eighteen students signed up for the trip. At
the Dandelion School, each of them was assigned
to two classes of their own. Harvey said the
WHS students developed activities, songs and
games to try and better communicate the English
language to the students at the Dandelion School.
While some of the Chinese students had a strong
command of English, some experienced more trouble,
Harvey said.
But despite language barrier, Harvey was impressed
by the depth of communication experienced between
the Chinese and American students. "The
kids connected beautifully and in meaningful
ways," Harvey said. "They really enjoyed
each other's company, and the American kids
felt very close to the Chinese kids. They were
taken with the warmth and enthusiasm of the
Chinese kids"
Jessica Bynoe,
National Coordinator Youth Innovation Fund
http://service-learning.blogspot.com/2006/07/taking-students-to-other-side-of-world.html
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