Two English classes in Jordan - part one

I just came back from a Mission to Jordan few days ago.
That was my 6th mission to Jordan for assisting Japanese NGOs, which are implementing various projects of supporting Iraqi "temporary guests" and other people in needs.


This time, I had opportunities to visits 2 English classes organized by 2 Japanese NGOs as a part of their informal education activities. In general, many Iraqi people in Jordan are highly educated, but some of them have been suffering from different education systems and levels between Iraq and Jordan. For example, I heard that children in Iraq start studying English from 5th grade in public education system and those in Jordan do from 1st grade. With financial and other difficulties (including psychological ones), some Iraqi and Jordanian children could drop out from schools or could not catch up with English classes in Jordan as well.


In addition, many people staying in Jordan seems to think learning English is a significant step for obtaining jobs and start new life in other countries (especially for refugees hoping to resettle in 3rd countries). Although they face harsh reality that most of them have little possibility to resettle in 3rd countries in near future, they keep their hopes and continue to study.


One of classes I visited was for youth up to 18 years old, and the other was for adults.
Atmosphere of those two classes were quite different, but both of them were very energetic.

Students in a youth class not shy at all, and everyone tried to say something in the class.
I was afraid that it was a bit cold day in Jordan, so everyone in the class was wearing warm clothes...even in the class. The classroom conditions are not great - small spaces, poor heating, photocopied text books - but their motivation to study was very high.


In Jordan, I heard many people were saying "working for our children is working for our future."
In emergency time, such as after regional conflict and/or natural disaster, the needs of education are sometimes overlooked compared to the needs of food and water. However, because of emergency time, people need to have some kinds of education support. Providing opportunities and spaces for children could prevent them from approaching problems including drugs and violence. Some of Iraqi children escaped from their place of origin were reported to have psychological trauma by experiencing violence. I hope studying English together with friends will work for their psychosocial care as well.


▼▽▼▼【受講生】椎名さんのバックナンバー━━━━━━━━
・【High motivation is a key of success?!】2008.10.20 (Mon)
・【Iraqi refugees in Jordan- part one】2008.11.17 (Mon)
・【Iraqi refugees in Jordan- part two】2008.12.08 (Mon)
・【India as my school】2008.12.15 (Mon)
・【Conversation in coach】2009.01.26 (Mon)
・【Learning English in pubs】2009.03.02 (Mon)

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