After several weeks of preparation, I started my first workshop Monday, Sept. 29. The workshop was to start at 8:00 so I wanted to be early, 7:30, and set a few things up before the participants arrived. I was one of the last to arrive!! Things began with Opening Ceremonies, which meant that Mr. Nam, the director of Primary Education in Ninh Binh Province, gave a speech about me, Wusc, and Vietnam and the cooperation we had. He exhorted them to learn everything they could from the expert from Canada. I would have been a little intimidating if I hadn't heard this type of speech many times over the past 4 weeks.
It was challenging to speak through a translator. I would say something, and then she would say it again in Vietnamese. You can imagine how much time that would take. I had 30 participants, teachers, administrators from around the province, a mix from each smaller district. Most did not know each other. I had about 2/3 women to 1/3 men.
Almost from the beginning I was behind in my lesson outline. After the first lunch, a 3 hour one, I realized that they needed to be energized, so we started playing more games first thing in the morning and after lunch. They were a hit once they were translated. They told me their favourite was a version of Musical Chairs that we played today, Friday. I think part of that was they had become comfortable with each other and the crazy things I had them doing.
But with so much time spent playing "educational" games I became further behind in my original plan. But I can put a "Student Centered Learning" focus on anything.
Half-way through, I wondered if I was getting through to anyone. I kept hearing but we don't have the resources you have in Canada, we can't do this. And of course they have nothing compared to our well-supplied schools with SDML. My final project for them was to take some of the strategies I had practiced with them, and apply them to their classes. Surprise!! They did and thought they were an improvement.
Then we had "Closing Ceremonies". I was in the middle of my lesson when Mr. Nam walked in, and almost turned off my computer for me and told me to go have tea while they reset the classroom for these ceremoneis. An hour later I was called back to the class, to a setting of fruit, and snacks. Speeches followed, and a presentation for me. I had used the 20 questions activity with them so I played it again with the gift. After 10 questions, I asked if I could just open it. They laughed. they presented me with a beautiful embroidered picture of Vietnam, without the frame, so I could take it back with me. How wonderful.
After the closing, a few teachers invited me out for lunch. John, my fellow Canadian, was peddling past the restaurant as we were going in, so he was welcomed as well. We were invited to visit them all next weekend and meet their families. We are checking out the bus schedule and planning our day. They live in the area of giant shrimp and Viet vodka!
Everyone has been so friendly and welcoming. They make me feel special.
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