Harskamps in Ecuador

This is long overdue (considering English classes are now over), but in case you're interested, here's a rundown of a typical English class with Ree.

Start with a song. Some sort of song that would emphasize the theme of the class. Such as "the family song"-- a class favourite involving chickadees, manatees, dogs and fleas, and a family of rabbits.
From there I would present the theme and vocabulary. Ppt., slides, pictures, handouts, whiteboards, oregami-- you name it. If it helped drive home the point, it was utilized. Presentation phase lasted 35-40 minutes. Then we'd break.
Two groups would be formed based on age (8 and under, 9 and up). They would file to their appropriate stations--Games or Pronunciation Practice. After 25 minutes, the groups would switch. Then we'd grab a snack, a drink and get pumped for the Bible story.
Each class was planned however I saw fit, with the intention of building on the previous concepts. The same was true for the Bible stories, and a huge priority in planning these lessons was to enable the kids to connect the dots of the O.T stories leading to Christ. The last class was the Christmas story, and the timing could not have been better.

Thursday marked the last day of ESL.
I'm sad for a few reasons.
1. I enjoyed these kids immensely.
2. My role as teacher has come to an end, and my routine will need to be reworked.
3. I love to teach, and now I'll have to find new pupils in some other country.
4. This means, we will soon be heading back to Canada.

It was such a privilege to teach these kids. It was our prayer in coming to Ecuador that we could both be blessed, and be a blessing to others. I believe God has answered that-- we have been blessed. God is an excellent Teacher, and clearly, He is not done teaching me.

1. I have discovered that I could handle teaching grade school after all. Among children, I have a place to channel my 'stay-at-home-mom' pent up energy, and this is a very good thing.

2. Although I prefer teaching literature, teaching a language holds exciting challenges, and the freedom to create my own curriculum is right up my alley.

3. My procrastination approach to lesson planning worked well here, and my ability to be flexible paid off. Class size could fluctuate between 25 and 2... so the game plan I adopted was to forget the plan. Perfect.

4. Children are children, regardless of the language they speak. If you play running charades, sing at the top of your lungs, provide snacks, and show a genuine passion for what you are teaching, they will love you :)

5. James is a good dad. Without him to keep his eyeballs on Jesse, teaching would have posed considerable challenges. But I knew this before I married him :)

6. Using flannel graphs to teach the story of the Bible is brilliant. I also love teaching children the Old and New T. An awesome opportunity.

7. I have learned that I may not be cut out to stay home all day. I am really going to miss these classes, these children, and this country.

Now it's my prayer that God would work in the hearts of these kids. It's been an amazing opportunity to have a hand in shaping their minds and prodding their hearts-- may God in His grace make them grow.