Tuesday 3 November 2015

That time teachers from England visited Curitiba...

Its extremely repetitive, but have to say thanks to everyone that has supported the journey since 2013. It sounds quite far fetched to say that seven teachers from North Tyneside schools spent last week in Curitiba, Brazil with their partner schools but they actually did as part of a successful British Council funding bid that came about the beginning of this year. In 2013 they decided to do a Brazil Day for two lads hoping to get to Brazil and make a bit of difference, but also impacting the local community. I don't think we can not be proud of what has been achieved, however it is very much rolling with opportunities that came about and delivering outcomes with a passion to achieve.

I decided that I had to join the English teachers visiting Brazil and see them meeting their schools in person for the first time because I felt it was something I couldn't miss...and it would be nice to return and see what the schools are doing. The aim was to keep this trip to the other side of the world a secret from the Brazilians so as not to distract them from the English arrivals. I succeeded, although not without problems...at a local game in Curitiba the first impression for the teachers was a fan holding a hand gun as we ushered them through the gates!

The experience was unbelievable because you could literally see communities come together as they laughed, joked and discussed their schools in detail through broken English and Portuguese. Similarities and differences came up, but what overshadowed the trip was the awe in which everything was received. The Brazilian schools delivered welcome presentations that blew the English away with cultural dances, local music, fantastic displays and of course the national anthem. The children mobbed the English teachers as if they were celebrities and had a reel of questions they couldn't wait to ask them. The hope is this continued influence and communication keeps the English language 'real' and Brazilian children understand the need to learn and actually have the desire to pursue it. The other side of the project is the English children understand more about the world we live in and also the need to appreciate others.

The local government in Curitiba (Prefeitura de Curitiba) were fantastic and looked after the English teachers fantastically. I had to improve my Portuguese as there was a need to have a bit of translation, but sometimes words couldn't cover the emotions that filtered through the corridors. Two stand out moments include a Skype between Romario Martins and St. Cuthbert's where you could see how moved the English staff were, its hard not to get attached to the story or as started a project about happiness where Brazilian children and staff had to write what made them happy. It was a hard question to answer, but translating the responses was tougher - "gratitude for having the opportunity to meet new friends", "having a loving family" and "my children are the treasures in my life" just a small sample of responses.

The next year will see schools collaborate on various projects such as a joint diversity week, an eco friendly garden and introducing Children's Day to North Tyneside. Its almost a perfect pilot for the British Council to run with as more schools engage in the Newcastle to Brazil project in their own ways.

Three Brazilian teachers are coming to Newcastle in a couple of weeks and the nerves/excitement kicks in again. Whats the plan? the outcome? In all honesty it really is endless possibilities...

You can watch the TV report in Portuguese which covered the teachers arriving in Curitiba http://g1.globo.com/pr/parana/paranatv-2edicao/videos/t/edicoes/v/professores-ingleses-retornam-a-curitiba-para-conferir-resultados-de-projeto-feito-na-copa/4551971/

We used to joke about having 1000 nephews in Brazil, the reality is we've probably got about 3000-4000 across two continents!

For English staff thanks for being great sports and taking the moments for what they were...classic!