The pilot schools project in Curitiba was unexpected, it initially started as a Brazil Day with local schools in Newcastle to act as a fundraiser with over 3000 children involved in sport, music and cultural activities that relaxed the constraints of the curriculum, but encouraged learning through engagement. What followed is a series of events that looked to leave a lasting legacy through education. Following a YouTube video and tweet to the Prefeitura de Curitiba in 2013 a potential project was discussed with the cities education department. From that a pilot project that would see volunteers working in 5 public schools using the Premier Skills resources to teach English and to support teachers was agreed. This was new territory, for us as volunteers it was a new environment working with children teaching them our language, but it was relatively unknown. We felt more comfortable on the football pitch rather than the classroom.
For these young people this was an opportunity not to be wasted, it was of huge importance that it was successful because it created a chance to change lives and aspirations. The children recognised this as they commented “…to know the volunteers is exciting for me because I have never spoken to someone with another language.” We arrived in the schools as foreigners, the unknown entity, and we left these schools as family members. Over the year we worked within 5 schools and it was 500 children that would directly benefit from the English lessons, however it was an attraction to over 1000 children of having volunteers in their schools. Often we would see other children who were too young for the lessons, but they just wanted to meet someone who spoke another language. It was difficult passing through the schools without getting mobbed by children bursting with questions about England or wanting to hug you.
It was an unbelievable experience to be part of something so new and diverse that impacted communities in Curitiba, but also back in Newcastle. They followed the updates each week and we managed to take the World Cup to communities that would have simply missed out on the major event. International Days in 3 schools in Curitiba widened horizons as children adopted one of the countries that would play at the Arena da Baixada to learn about new cultures, languages, animals and history. Enthusiastic children of all ages waiting to tell us what they had learned about Spain, Russia, and Ecuador among others as we visited each class. These children felt special and after a Skype call to Newcastle they received visits from Hugh Thompson and Kay Murray. The World Cup had reached the small neighbourhood of Boqueirão, but also the communities of the North East.
We investigated the British Council funding grants to see if these schools would be eligible as over the year schools in Newcastle had remained in contact with the schools in Curitiba. They exchanged postcards, drawings, Skype calls and videos. The children were blown away talking to each other in a foreign language over 6000 miles apart. The language became real for children in different circumstances as the English children realised that sometimes just speaking English is not enough, but they brought the language to life for children in Brazil. They also learned that despite the difference they had similarities, a shared love of One Direction and football for example.
It has been quite busy over the last few months as we worked on the applications, teachers began to feel nervous due to a lack of information, again a sense of the unknown and we realised if this was successful than it could be an amazing legacy for the pilot project. Last week we found out that our 3 applications had been successful and teachers would be able to travel across the world to cement these partnerships that started in 2013. A state of shock set in, especially for those schools who took a chance on the Brazil Day which is now a demanded event on the school calendar by children who are now excited by all things Brazil.
It was incredible to look back at the first Brazil Day and how things have progressed. The feeling of pride at something through hard work and luck has developed is a privilege we have, but the joy for these schools and teachers is the best thing. We built relationships between the schools and with the schools, in Curitiba teachers spoke about their dream to visit England, but it was impossible. We never thought or considered it would be possible, but to be able to have played a small part in making someone’s dreams come true was amazing.
We caught up with Maristela, a teacher from Doutel de Andrade, who has been teaching English since September 2013, but has over 22 years of experience in education. We spoke about life in Brazil as a teacher, the funding, the impact the pilot project had on her and the children.
“In CEI Doutel de Andrade I wanted to teach English because I think it is important to have more opportunities, to have a good job and my kids can have more chance in their future.”
“Going to England is a big surprise for me. I don't have a passport because to travel abroad is so expensive for me.”
“I think I need to improve my classes for 2015. I need more activities for my students, but my conditions at school sometimes leave me discouraged, however I have a mission with my kids.”
“I breathe and start another day. I know this year will be better because this opportunity to go will bring inspiration for me!”
“To work in a public school is like an adventure because sometimes my students have serious problems at home and school is the only place they have to put their feelings out of theirs hearts. Sometimes being a teacher is like being a mother too.”
She spoke about the impact of the funding on the children “I think it will be an example for them to show that the opportunity of learning or having another language the world is open for you! I think they will be happy just like me”
When asked about what she most looks forward to about the trip, she replies simply “Everything! The plane, big airports and to be a foreigner! Knowing new people, to visit a school very different from mine, the different behaviours...food and prices, everything is new!”
“I never thought about going to England because I just worked with the volunteers thinking about the kids! When I heard about the project in 2013 I just knew about the volunteers in school. This opportunity to go appeared at the end of 2014 and I put my information forward and received this in return as a gift!”
“It was wonderful to have native speakers in the classroom because I could improve my communication and comprehension of English. It was so good to think about the language and it was a test of my years of studying English.”
“The highlight of last year was the opportunity for the students to see English in action, not just in books…to show the language is alive, not just words on the paper.”
“I just want to say thank you! For Sian, Craig, Michael, Victor and Matthew who spent time with my students! Thanks for this opportunity from the British Council. Thanks to our partner school in the project with teacher Nicola and Claire from Fordley Primary school.”
Normally the legacy of a World Cup is ‘white elephant’ stadiums, the cost placed on the home nation to host the event or results throughout the tournament. With around >0.01% of the cost Brazil put towards the World Cup we were part of something that in some parts will make a meaningful difference. Across the year we always focused on finding inspiration or motivation to keep us going, either something we would read, someone we worked with or something that had happened on projects. We are extremely lucky that we were able to meet these teachers and they worked towards a shared goal of creating chances for improved education and diversity. The volunteers that were in Brazil last year are part of something special, unique and Maristela is an example that “all our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”
Happy Mothers Day...
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