Vecka sju

  Last week we had the opportunity of visiting a primary school for the week. I was placed in the school with another student who was from South Korea. I was moving between two classes, grade four and grade five (P6 and P7). I was in two classes to enable me to observe English lessons and other lessons taught in English so that I wasn’t observing too many lessons in Swedish, where I couldn’t understand the content. However, in some cases this was not possible and so I observed some lessons which were taught in Swedish. During these lessons I was not able to assist pupils when they were stuck on something as I didn’t have enough Swedish to understand all of the questions. I found this very difficult however, I these lessons enabled me to experience what life is like for EAL students who come to our schools in Northern Ireland and do not speak much English. I learned that it is definitely very important to learn a couple of words of the new-comer’s language to assist with some explanations. The speed at which the teacher speaks at is also something I will remember for when I get an EAL pupil. In many cases the teacher spoke very fast to the pupils in Swedish, making it almost impossible for us to pick up any words. I would try to speak slowly to enable the newcomer to pick up some words and follow the lesson.

The grade four class have been learning English since the start of this year, seven months. I was amazed at the level they were able to speak at. All of the children could hold a conversation with both Chi Yeong and I and where not shy or afraid to try which was excellent because we could talk to them and help them with their numeracy and geography lessons too.

I noticed that the grade five class, who have been learning English for almost two years, were all extremely shy and didn’t like to speak to us incase they made a mistake. However, after much persuasion and with the help of an English lesson, the children felt more secure and began to speak with us more confidently. Towards the end of the week the pupils would come and speak English to us without any instruction which was great. I was happy they had overcome the shyness and I could see how excited they were to be able to do this.

In both groups I found that pupils were eager to get their English right and so if they didn’t know a word they would ask their peers and the class teacher any words which they didn’t know. This showed me the interest they all had in the language.

I found this week of school very beneficial as I could experience a totally different school system. The English lessons also enabled me to notice each child’s different strengths and weaknesses in language learning, a topic which i studied for a module last year and which is of great interest to me. I was also able to observe lessons which I didn’t understand enabling to see what life is like for young EAL pupils who come to our school in Northern Ireland. I can appreciate how difficult life will be for these pupils.

Next week’s blog will outline some of the differences I have noticed between the two school systems.

Until then..... Hej då!