Is it possible to teach even young children to be a blessing as tourists? For the students in the Stage 1 Italian classes I was teaching, overseas family holidays seemed to be almost the norm. I was aware their contact with local people would usually be limited to hotel and restaurant staff and those manning tourist attractions. Their ability to communicate in the host language would at best consist of a few stilted phrases. Even with these ‘limitations’ I was keen to explore ways of preparing my students to love their neighbour, even as strangers in a foreign land. An opportunity arose within a language and culture unit. Year 2 was about to visit Venice, virtually. With a few simple props and posters, and relying on the creativity of young imaginations, the Library had been transformed into this most enticing of destinations. But before my excited little group of tourists crossed the bridge over the canal and entered ‘Venice’, we discussed how we would act as we visited a place, like so many other thousands of tourists do each year, and yet be mindful that is also home to the people who live there.
In subsequent lessons, as we continued to explore Venice through pictures, art, video and role plays, I encouraged my students to develop a sense of empathy for the Venetians, to consider:
Young children can make a difference. Perhaps in small but nonetheless significant way, they can seek to be a blessing to their hosts. As language teachers, creating opportunities for our students to explore why and how, we can begin building enduring bridges to understanding. Libby Colla
2 Comments
23/11/2016 08:14:38 pm
Thank you for this post. Such a wonderful idea for a languages unit! I can already see ways it could be adapted for older students in secondary schools.
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Libby Colla
23/11/2016 09:51:48 pm
Thank you so much Dominique for taking the time to share these great ideas for Secondary students.
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