So I just realized that there is a gaping hole in the Italy trip posts.
In the past three years, I've written plenty about scavenger hunts, awesome conversations, coffee, gelato and the amazing things God taught me. However, I've never really explained the activity that attracts the students in the first place: English Clubs!
So here ya go--everything you ever wanted to know about the most happenin' club in Milan.
First of all, it's a club, not classroom instruction. We aren't licensed teachers, we're college students from another campus who are excited to help our friends practice English in a fun, relational setting.
Every day has a theme. We use idea books that are divided into themes like "family", "the outdoors", and "culture". Once we've picked a theme, we choose activities and games for that day that relate to the chosen topic. The American slang associated with each theme is especially fun. For example, when we talked about family, we taught them the meanings and uses of...
Food day is a favorite! Each year we fill up one entire suitcase with American snack food for our new friends to try. Can you imagine living your whole life without beef jerky? They also don't have Sour Patch candy, Cheese-Whiz, or--brace yourselves--
We REALLY like Mafia. The card game, not the organized crime ring. It's a bit ironic, sitting in Italy, playing a game called "Mafia", but it's perfect for helping the whole group use their English to accuse their neighbors and defend their own alibi. :)
It's a cultural exchange. The culture of Italy and the culture of Aggieland may be very different, but both are beautiful, deeply traditional, and really fun to share and explain! This year, for example, we decided to teach our Italian friends how to line dance to "Copperhead Road", and they in turn taught us a line dance in Italian. (I really wish I could post the video clip! But I can't get it to work... :( )
Movies help the discussions go deep. Although we reserve spiritual conversations for the times when we are off campus, meaningful discussions often begin in the classroom after watching a movie clip. All levels will gather in one room to watch part of a movie in English (with English subtitles). Afterward, in smaller groups, we work through prepared questions meant to stimulate thought and conversation.
Often, the answers that students give to these discussion questions reveal their attitudes toward their family, their dreams, and may even give clues about their current relationship with God.
Even though we're back in TX, these English Clubs are still going on! One of the girls on our team remained behind in Milan to continue ministry with the students and do a bi-weekly English Club at a local café. Please keep her in your prayers!
In the past three years, I've written plenty about scavenger hunts, awesome conversations, coffee, gelato and the amazing things God taught me. However, I've never really explained the activity that attracts the students in the first place: English Clubs!
So here ya go--everything you ever wanted to know about the most happenin' club in Milan.
First of all, it's a club, not classroom instruction. We aren't licensed teachers, we're college students from another campus who are excited to help our friends practice English in a fun, relational setting.
Every day has a theme. We use idea books that are divided into themes like "family", "the outdoors", and "culture". Once we've picked a theme, we choose activities and games for that day that relate to the chosen topic. The American slang associated with each theme is especially fun. For example, when we talked about family, we taught them the meanings and uses of...
"mama's boy"
"brotha' from anotha' motha'"
"chip off the old block"
"spitting image"
"daddy's girl"
"rugrat"
"family feud"
Food day is a favorite! Each year we fill up one entire suitcase with American snack food for our new friends to try. Can you imagine living your whole life without beef jerky? They also don't have Sour Patch candy, Cheese-Whiz, or--brace yourselves--
PEANUT BUTTER.
I KNOW.
We REALLY like Mafia. The card game, not the organized crime ring. It's a bit ironic, sitting in Italy, playing a game called "Mafia", but it's perfect for helping the whole group use their English to accuse their neighbors and defend their own alibi. :)
It's a cultural exchange. The culture of Italy and the culture of Aggieland may be very different, but both are beautiful, deeply traditional, and really fun to share and explain! This year, for example, we decided to teach our Italian friends how to line dance to "Copperhead Road", and they in turn taught us a line dance in Italian. (I really wish I could post the video clip! But I can't get it to work... :( )
Movies help the discussions go deep. Although we reserve spiritual conversations for the times when we are off campus, meaningful discussions often begin in the classroom after watching a movie clip. All levels will gather in one room to watch part of a movie in English (with English subtitles). Afterward, in smaller groups, we work through prepared questions meant to stimulate thought and conversation.
Often, the answers that students give to these discussion questions reveal their attitudes toward their family, their dreams, and may even give clues about their current relationship with God.
