So the other week at the local lycée, there was a competition between the English Clubs at different schools in Kaolack. In total, 5 English Clubs took part in the competition where there was to be two rounds: a spelling bee and then a drama/debate on a subject from a selected list.
Through someone I know, I got invited to attend the event and I was so glad that I managed to go! I arrived at the school to see all the different groups chatting excitedly to each other, making last minute preparations and music blaring out from a loud-speaker which really boosted the atmosphere. I sat behind the jury who started the event with some very inspiring speaches on why everyone should learn English (everyone was really pumped after that!) and there was a special guest as well: one of the authors of the 'Stay Tuned' English textbooks which are widely used in Senegal.
The competition started with the spelling bee which was mostly tense free apart from the sad times when a student would spell a word correctly, but it was the wrong word! Tip for anyone doing spelling bees: always ask for the definition of the word unless you are completely sure!
The next round was the debates, which I have to say, were very very very impressive! They tackled many topics including modern African fashion vs traditional clothes, and even female genital mutilation. Some of the students astounded me with their confidence and their level of English, including three of Diapalantes members who took part (was very proud!). Some of the debates took on a more drama element (e.g. one group staged it as if it was a TV program with a presenter) and the comedy that they added to the debates was on top form!
The English Club that won the competition (two of Diapalantes members were in this group= one very proud Diapalante teacher) went to Dakar the next weekend to enter a national competition. Unfortunately they didn't win this but the two Diapalante students came back from Dakar feeling so excited and hyped for learning English, saying it was amazing to be surrounded by other 'English Lovers' (what we call ourselves here in Diapalante!).
So overall, it was a very inspiring event for me, for the students and for the English teachers at the schools. It definitely showed me the importance of English Clubs in schools around Senegal and how strong they can be.
English Lovers for Life!
If you want to read more about the importance of English Clubs in Senegal, here is an a very interesting essay I found online...
http://www.academia.edu/1997184/_Grassroots_English_Clubs_as_Sites_of_Learning_and_Democratic_Debate_in_Urban_Senegal_by_Marika_Z._Tsolakis
And also, another popular Senegalese song to keep you all up-to-date with the Senegalese charts...
Through someone I know, I got invited to attend the event and I was so glad that I managed to go! I arrived at the school to see all the different groups chatting excitedly to each other, making last minute preparations and music blaring out from a loud-speaker which really boosted the atmosphere. I sat behind the jury who started the event with some very inspiring speaches on why everyone should learn English (everyone was really pumped after that!) and there was a special guest as well: one of the authors of the 'Stay Tuned' English textbooks which are widely used in Senegal.
The competition started with the spelling bee which was mostly tense free apart from the sad times when a student would spell a word correctly, but it was the wrong word! Tip for anyone doing spelling bees: always ask for the definition of the word unless you are completely sure!
The next round was the debates, which I have to say, were very very very impressive! They tackled many topics including modern African fashion vs traditional clothes, and even female genital mutilation. Some of the students astounded me with their confidence and their level of English, including three of Diapalantes members who took part (was very proud!). Some of the debates took on a more drama element (e.g. one group staged it as if it was a TV program with a presenter) and the comedy that they added to the debates was on top form!
The English Club that won the competition (two of Diapalantes members were in this group= one very proud Diapalante teacher) went to Dakar the next weekend to enter a national competition. Unfortunately they didn't win this but the two Diapalante students came back from Dakar feeling so excited and hyped for learning English, saying it was amazing to be surrounded by other 'English Lovers' (what we call ourselves here in Diapalante!).
So overall, it was a very inspiring event for me, for the students and for the English teachers at the schools. It definitely showed me the importance of English Clubs in schools around Senegal and how strong they can be.
English Lovers for Life!
If you want to read more about the importance of English Clubs in Senegal, here is an a very interesting essay I found online...
http://www.academia.edu/1997184/_Grassroots_English_Clubs_as_Sites_of_Learning_and_Democratic_Debate_in_Urban_Senegal_by_Marika_Z._Tsolakis
And also, another popular Senegalese song to keep you all up-to-date with the Senegalese charts...