The road to being a teacher: how does a Roeland internship work?

Many of the youngsters who went to a Roeland language camp want to become teachers. But that is not self-evident. “During a weeklong course you learn how to organize a cool and educational camp” says Head of Project Lieve Haverbeke. She explains how Roeland prepares aspiring teachers for the real camp deal.

Anyone who wants to become a teacher has the opportunity to join the course ‘Youth work teacher’. It is an official course, which leads to a certificate after successful completion. It is mandatory when you want to be actively involved in youth activities in the Flanders region. Roeland organises this course every year, on separate occasions.

Youth work teacher

Lieve clarifies: “Youngsters who went through the ‘Youth work teacher’ course organised by Roeland can join the training program at one of our camps”. When their training is completed and considered successful, they receive a certificate and the status of teacher.”

“The Flemish government issued guidelines to outline the skills that should be emphasized during this course, and which will be judged during the internship. How do you develop a game, how to safely interact with young people, how to behave as a teacher, how to create a sports session, … There is a set of skills and competences aspiring teachers can train in this course, and practice during a supervised internship.”

“All the interns receive a trajectory notebook when they enter. Supervisor and interns keep written track of the skills they already mastered, and the ones that need improvement. Also, at the camp itself, this notebook is being kept up to date.”

A diverse group of interns

“On the one hand we have the camp participants who decide around the age of 16 to become a teacher and sign up for our teacher’s course. On the other hand, we cooperate with a number of colleges where the students can sign up for an alternative internship. Which means we often collaborate with trainee teachers who join a camp for a week. Mostly a once-in-a-lifetime commitment, but it happens that they like what they see so much they stay on board. Which we definitely applaud.”

Successful internship

“What is it that makes an internship successful? When an intern shows leadership, integrates fully within the group, leads a variety of popular activities, shows noticeable progression during this period, then we can say: mission accomplished.”

“But to make sure the intern trainee feels at home at the camp, some proper guidance is needed. That is why we offer our Heads of Camp an internship supervision manual and course.

Course internship supervision

“An internship supervisor must be great at listening and asking questions. For example, if the intern conducted a singing event and he suggests the event did not go as expected, it is important to find out where that impression originated. Was it because the songs were in a foreign language, was the preparation of the event insufficient, were there any technical issues,… The supervisor can only give proper feedback if the context of the event has been clarified.”

“So, during the workshop internship supervisor, the supervisors learn to give feedback after carefully listening, and they make sure the interns know they can always rely on their help and support. Because at camp it can be extremely busy, so it is not always easy for new teachers to ask for attention. So, it is up to the supervisors to make their expectations clear in advance and to guarantee there’s always time to lend an ear.”

“Besides that, the supervisors learn about the various kinds of internships at our camps. A 16 year old teacher demands a different approach than a 21year old trainee teacher. And of course, they learn about administrative tasks: what needs following up, and what is being followed up by Roeland headquarters?”

Something for everyone

“To us, the recruitment of volunteers is important all year long: we look to our older participants, to trainee teachers, to everyone who wants to offer a helping hand at our camps. Each year, we are in want of a variety of profiles: coaches, teachers, coordination, chefs, first aid collaborators… there is something for everyone. So, if you want to help out at a camp, learn a lot on the side or just have a great time: create your profile at www.mijnroeland.be