After a few delays, the pilot courses have officially started at Ecole Emmanuel. The entrance tests were well attended and two classes were formed based on the test results. As a pilot, the course will be shorter than the normal class as it is designed primarily to test the new location and the students’ English level and motivations. Each class will meet once a week until the end of June.
The higher-level group will begin working through the Module course that was created by the former school director and pioneered in Ali Sabieh 2024-2025. In the month of classes, the full module will not be completed but there will be enough to allow students to get a taste for the work. If all goes well, classes will continue when classes start again in September.
The lower-level group is trying something new: a beginner level course. While all in English, the class will be heavy in vocabulary and speaking opportunities. The course is loosely based on the language learning models that support learning the language as a child would. Most of the vocabulary will be learned through looking at and describing pictures with lots of repetition. In the past, Ecole Emmanuel has offered beginner level English courses taught by teachers who were fluent in French. As this is a pilot course, the teachers will be able to be more flexible so can explore what is needed or wanted in the community and explore different ways to meet those needs.
This next month will be a time of learning for both the students and the teachers as this new territory is explored.
Kerith Trust 