2012 YES Mentor Training in Wuxi

In recent years, Shanghai Roots & Shoots has steadily expanded YES Program to nearby cities. On November 25th, 2012, with the company of drizzling rain drops, the R&S staff came to Wuxi No. 1 Senior High School to provide volunteers from the host school and from Jiangnan University, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Jiangsu Tianyi High School, with volunteer mentor training.

The R&S staff spoke about different approaches to teaching environmental lessons and the activities they could do in class including paper recycling, waste management, etc. The staff also demonstrated how to use the tool kit.

It was far from enough just to have enthusiasm when it comes to teaching. What is truly essential is pedagogics. When the staff gave training to the inexperienced volunteers, they focused specifically on class management, from preparation to timing while teaching. The staff also let the trainees brainstorm about simple themes, to give them a better concept and practice for what they were about to face in real classrooms.

One of the steps volunteers would have to go through before they entered the classroom would be communication with the teachers. Effective face-to-face communication is critical. During the training, the staff also imparted communications skills through two interactive games.

The training workshop ended at 2 p.m. The staff had great expectations for the volunteers. A fruitful semester was about to unfold!

(Translated by WFLMS Crunchy Zoo Language Club)