“In my classes the students appreciate the fact that I try to explain grammar with a game. Teaching a language in a playful manner is something Roeland hammered into me. Which I really like”, trainee teacher Mona Hmaïssa testifies.
Board game in class
“Recently I got to teach a short lesson about British and US English. Together with a fellow apprentice I developed a board game to point out the difference between them. At first, the teacher was a little bit sceptical. From her point of view, at school students are supposed to sit and take notes.”
“Roeland made me experience the fact that playing with language really is the best way to teach it. I gladly bring that knowledge to my training as a French and English teacher in secondary school.”
“I understood the teacher’s restraint when I arrived with my board game, but her feedback after class was really positive. Not everything in class can be taught with games, but I am convinced of the fact that the application of diversity in teaching methods can do wonders to keep the students’ attention.”
Unknowingly learning a new language
“Learning new languages in creative ways, it is Roeland’s adage, and it manifests itself throughout the language labs, workshops, and field trips. Novel words are being picked up incessantly and in a playful way. The participants often don ‘t notice how much they are learning, and how fast their confidence to speak builds up. That is really cool, and it is why I became a teacher last year with the non-profit organisation, and why I keep going to the camps.”
Participants’ appreciation
“The past couple of years I was a Dutch teacher at ‘HorizonTaal’ (for foreign-speaking children), ‘Vlamingen in de Wereld’ (children from expats) and ‘Content in Gent’ (French- or English-speaking youngsters). Every camp is beautiful and fantastic, I must say.”
“At ‘Content in Gent’, one of the students told me that when he would be of my age, he also would become a teacher with Roeland. I found that to be an incredibly beautiful compliment. It proves that my team and I delivered on the job, and that we did pass our passion for creative language teaching and learning on to the next generation. So, if you read this article and want to become a teacher yourself: you are more than welcome with us”.
