VPVS - Education 4 Saigon Love School

THEME/TYPE OF PROJECT: English Language for Children AIMS OF THE PROJECT: The aim of the program is to provide English language speaking environment for disadvantaged youth and develop their English communicative skills. PROJECT’S ACTIVITIES: Saigon Love School is located inside a Buddhist temple in Go Vap district, Ho Chi Minh city. It was established in 2005 to help educate 70 - 80 children from poor, undeveloped and immigrant families living near pagoda as some local teachers teach Vietnamese for them in the Love School in the morning. Travelling by bus the journey from the dorm is around 1 hour and a half but can be shorter or longer depending on traffic. Usually volunteers teach English for one or two lessons in the morning. You should definitely try to teach English even children are pretty active sometimes! In the class there may be students of many different ages. The students English skill level can also vary but the age does not reflect the level of English. The younger students may be better in English than the older students. You can always start the first lesson by introducing yourself and begin to get to know children. The most of the children do not know English well so you can start with the basics. The most of the volunteers have taught to student’s numbers, colors, body parts, etc. You can teach same things but also teaching of entire sentences would be advisable and helpful to the children. Try to involve the children to speak English and use your imagination; play games, sing songs, draw…. At the Peace House’s living room there are many English books which you can use. You can take copies of tasks or you can also do your own tasks. It is useful to use Vietnamese when you teach English. That’s how the students really understand what you mean. Try Google Translator, dictionaries or the help of VPV staff. VOLUNTEER’S TASKS: Volunteers will be responsible for taking control of the English class. Volunteers will work as the sole teacher in the class. You will be required to make a teaching plan with lesson plans using the learning materials provided to ensure continuity in learning from the teachers before and after you. Although most of students have studied English in the past, it is unlikely they know how to speak and listen properly. Due to this, volunteer’s work should be concentrated on helping students with speaking and listening. However, developing writing skill is also essential for the younger students in class. Remember to be their friend too. They have been through a lot and having fun with them through games and similar exercises will make it much more rewarding for them and for you. With permission from the principle of the school, volunteers may also arrange their own activities for the children to join and have fun together. The timetable will be given on arrival with volunteers working schedule from Monday to Friday and working hours from 09:00am to 10:45am. Volunteers will work around 4 - 7 hours per week at the class and will use the rest of their time between other projects and classes that require voluntary assistance.