WEDG has recently introduced this new service, to link up international students studying in Kent, with local schools. The volunteer ‘Global Classroom Visitors’ are available to visit your class, to share their childhood, school and homelife in their home country. These encounters will provide a memorable and lasting experience for your children, as they will have the first-hand opportunity to listen and ask questions about another country and culture. We have found that meeting a ‘real’ person can have a huge impact compared to just hearing about another place.
Why have a visitor?
- Help children to make connections between their lives and those of people from other countries.
- Add an international/global element to your classroom.
- Provide positive, young role model for children
- Raise self-esteem of minority ethnic group children
- Reflect the wider local East Kent community
- Demonstrate that you are an outward looking school
- Ask for a particular country if it fits with your curriculum
What schools say:
'Could you pass on to Mika and Marie how well they did and how much Class 1 and Class 3 enjoyed their visit. Both class teachers came to see me to tell me personally how much they enjoyed the sessions. The Powerpoint and conversation was fascinating. Thank you so much and we send them our best wishes.' Teacher, Monkton Primary School
'The visit was a huge success. Both the teachers and children loved it. Our chair of governors happened to be in the school that morning and stopped in to see the presentation. She said it was amazing and that the value of it was clear from the children’s responses. The children learned lots about the different Sikh practices both in Malaysia and India especially in regards to dress code.' Teacher, Chartham Primary School
'The children realised that Chinese culture isn't restricted to China. Seeing the photos of the school and Lip Vi writing in Mandarin was excellent. This isn't something that we could offer the children so it was great that Lip Vi could write words for the children and explain them. This was a very valuable session and really gave a context for the learning that we have been doing. It made it real and the children enjoyed the Q&A session. The photos and artefacts were particularily good.' Teacher, Ash Primary School
If you would be interested in Global Classroom Visitors, please complete the School Request Form and email or fax this to WEDG now. We will contact you to arrange suitable visitors.
Cost:
WEDG members £10 / visitor
non members £75 / visitor
What happens:
Information for students
Become a Global Classroom Visitor – a very English experience
- Visit a school singly or in pairs
- Experience England beyond city and campus
- One off volunteering (5 hours)
- Have something different to talk about at interviews
- Travel expenses paid
What happens:
- You contact WEDG and sign up to become a Global Classroom Visitor
- WEDG arranges visit to school agreeing date and time with you
- Meet with WEDG co-ordinator to discuss content of your visit
- Create a power point (10 -15 slides), to illustrate where you are from and what growing up for you was like. (e.g. School, food, family )
- Visit school
- Record your volunteering
- Evaluate your experience and post a message on Facebook page
- Contact WEDG to find out more