“The meeting with students has shown how much such initiatives are needed. Active participation of children in the English lesson, very interesting questions and the good command of language are the best evidence that the funds granted by the Polish-American Freedom Foundation have certainly been used properly,” said Douglas Ades, Secretary of the Polish-American Freedom Foundation’s Board of Directors, who once again conducted English lessons at the schools participating in the “English Teaching” Program.
Students at both schools seized eagerly the opportunity to talk to a native speaker. Taking active part in the lesson they asked the guest lots of interesting questions.
With traditional Polish hospitality, they presented Douglas Ades with a regional vase hand-made by them and a hand-made greeting card with photos of the school and the students.
Students of both schools have been improving their English language skills thanks to the participation in the “English Through Culture” project managed by Joanna Suduł and the „English is nothing but fun!” project managed by Katarzyna Gaca. Both projects were implemented thanks to the financial support obtained through the “English Teaching” Program. As the project implementers emphasize, because of the new approach to teaching “learning English has begun to be associated by all students participating in the projects with something nice and interesting”. Activities such as English language games, competitions, excursions, drama classes or local community integration events turned out to be the key to success. Additionally, both schools obtained also some teaching aids and equipment used in teaching English. All activities funded from the funds granted by the Polish-American Freedom Foundation have contributed not only to improve the language skills of the children but also they allowed to develop a cooperation of students, teachers, parents and local communities.
As Douglas Ades emphasized, the results of the “English Teaching” Program are visible in particular in the smallest localities such as Górki Grubaki. “The good command of language is the evidence that the funds granted by the Polish-American Freedom Foundation have certainly been used very well,” said Douglas Ades. “Your tiny school, attended only by 103 students, educates bright, curious of the world and joyful children. Congratulations on such a well-run school!”
During his travels all over Poland, Douglas Ades has so far visited almost 40 schools, where he encouraged students to deepen their knowledge about the United States, work hard, pursue their goals persistently and improve their language skills.
