Samoan experience something to sing about for Lindfield student

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Samoan experience something to sing about for Lindfield student


It was an experience where the teachers were learning as much as the kids according to education student Emily Shaddick from Lindfield, who did her stint of prac teaching this semester in the very unfamiliar surroundings of Samoa. The second year Bachelor of Primary Education student from the University of Technology, Sydney was among 21 UTS students offered the chance to teach for two weeks in the Pacific nation as part of the Faculty of Education's International Professional Experience program. Each year UTS education students do an international prac placement in China, Thailand or Samoa. Usually it's a life-changing experience for the students involved and that held true for Emily. "Teaching was a challenge but it was also a fantastic experience," she said. "The school I was at was nothing like those I have experienced in Australia. "They had a curriculum but it was only vaguely followed. The students learn by rote and just repeat what ever is said to them. "Language was a barrier and I used a lot of art, drama and music in my lessons. Teaching the students songs and showing them the actions was a great way to introduce new vocabulary. "The Samoans are great singers and I've never heard 'Kookaburra Sits in the Old Gum Tree' sung with such passion and gusto! "Although my lessons were all very creative I found it difficult to get the students to express themselves to start off with - I think that's because they are so used to being told the answer. "It took a bit of persuading, but once the kids realised that it was up to them to contribute ideas and inspiration they loved the lessons. "I grew to love Samoa, and also to understand that I can have lessons that are complete failures and still laugh and still want to teach. "That's where I came to appreciate my peers. Two heads are better than one and several heads made this prac much more enjoyable and contributed to the positive time I had. "When you are stuck for ideas and don't want to hear the kookaburra song one more time they can help you develop new ideas. They support you when the sky is falling and offer you a ladder when you fall out of the tree. "Samoa is a truly wonderful place and my prac was one of the best experiences I have had not only as a teacher but as a citizen of the world," Emily said. Wednesday 13 December 2006