Did anyone say Braai?

Week 3 Cultural/Personal

I can safely say that this week has been one of the best yet and I have met some incredible people and made memories that I will not forget.  I had the opportunity to become completely immersed in a traditional South Africa ritual known to the locals as a “braai.” A braai is very similar to the BBQ’s that we have back at home but it is a more common form of socialising amongst friends and occurs on a regular basis.

On Saturday we were invited with some local people we had met at the nearby church of St James to have a braai at Sardinia bay about twenty minutes from Port Elizabeth.  We travelled with a guy Tim and along our journey through the beautiful coastline we exchanged stories of our differing cultures.  This was the first time since we had arrived that we received a local perspective on what South Africa is really like, especially concerning the Apartheid history and generally the differing races found within the rainbow nation.  Paddy and I shared our experience of Northern Ireland and gave a brief insight into the history and the remaining divide still prevalent in our country today.



The braai



For lunch we had some traditional braai food such as Kudu wovs (a type of deer) sausage that had been killed the day before in the bush by one of the guys that was there.  It tasted similar to venison and was very rich in flavour.  Of course we had the normal types of food you would find in regards to a BBQ such as steak, chicken and chops, which went down a treat to say the least.  As we chilled by the beach I couldn’t help but think, this is amazing, I’m sitting on a beach, chilling on the beach, with good conversation, good food and beautiful surroundings.  Throughout the day I came appreciate how friendly and welcoming the people of South Africa are towards mere strangers.  We had a great day at the beach getting to know the locals and getting a real sense of what South Africans are about.



That evening we were invited by some locals to the Savoy theatre found in the Perridgevale district of the city to see local acoustic guitarists Tony Cox and Steven Newman.  It was a refreshing to listen to life music and get a real feel for local music scene and become familiar with the current artists and performers.

The gig

On Tuesday I returned to Cebelihle Primary School in the township area of the city.  I had the opportunity to meet with some American teachers who were introducing a new phonics programme to schools in the Eastern Cape.  They were able to share with me the idea and thinking surrounding their research on this particular phonic based approach, it seemed familiar to that of Linguistic phonics taught in the Belfast area of Northern Ireland. 

The teachers were offering training for teachers and workshops for children within the school.  It was incredible to witness the excitement of some of the children when they were asked to take part in a short workshop involving the use of limited computers found at the school.



The township..



 At this moment I recognised the complete contrast in regards to schools in South Africa in comparison to that of schools in  Northern Ireland.  The school didn’t have interactive whiteboards, the latest computer technology or indeed resources upon resources.  It takes an experience like this for you to truly appreciate what we do have in our schools in Northern Ireland and really we have no right to complain about of lack of resources or funding.  During the day I yet again got to witness firsthand the community spirit that is engrossed in the school ethos.  I had the opportunity to speak to some local parents from the surrounding area and get a real sense of the daily struggle they have in providing for their large families.  This was indeed a humbling moment and made me even more aware of the background and home environment in which these children live and grow up in.

Soup Kitchen queue

 Another highlight of the week was a farewell braai being held for two guys we met at the local church who were moving to Johannesburg to start new jobs in engineering firms.  We yet again got to meet lots of local people and were able to exchange stories from home and vice versa.  It took place at a typical South Africa home under what they call a ‘boma.’  Of course there was a lot of food consumed and everyone had a ‘lekker’ time.  This is another example of how friendly and approachable the people are here in South Africa.  We had only met the group on the Saturday and they were already inviting us to the next event.  Cannot wait to see what week four has to offer!

  

Enjoying the local delicacies




The 'boma'



Until next time, 

Totsiens (Goodbye)

Callum.

We arrived at the remote location to discover it was quite a trek to the beach through the various dunes and paths.  However, as we slowly emerged over the top of the final sand dune we were met by a scene that can only describe as paradise.  The sea was crystal blue in colour and the beach was more or less deserted.  We quickly set up the braai before starting a game of touch rugby on the beach.  The teams were quite evenly matched but let’s just say the better team won.  Before the cooking began we all headed towards the sea to cool off. 

Paradise

Paradise continued

"Yes Teacher"

Week 2- Professional

So we have now been here for two weeks and everything is starting to come together at slow pace, but we have come to realise this is Africa (TIA).  After our weekend orientation we began the process of registering classes and getting our timetable for the semester.

We quickly were made aware that we were going to be placed on the PGCE course and that we would be attending classes with the vast amount of students never have taught before.  We had a three day course orientation which involved meeting the various faculty members from the school of education; course structure and other important information about what was expected in our school placements.  It was interesting to see how diverse the group of students that were taking on the PGCE course, many were mature students who wanted a career change and felt that education was the right route to pursue.  Many talked about why they had chosen teaching as a profession and that they saw the importance and privilege it is to teach and mould the next generation to become lifelong learners. 



Cebelihle Primary School



I have been placed for my first observation at Cebelihle Primary School.  This township school is quite a journey away from our accommodation, but we managed to get there after much debate of what shuttle bus and taxi we needed to take.  There are over 1500 pupils at the school with an age range of 5-13, Grade R to Grade 9.   I was taken to the school by Skura, the head of school partnerships at the University and introduced to the Principal and various other members of school management before being taken to my first class.

I was going to be shadowing “Ms Anthea,” for the day.   She informed me that I was going to be moving around various classes to get a real feel of the diverse groups of children found within the school.  Each class consists of around 40-50 pupils and there age range could vary as some children are held back if their teacher feels they are not progressing to meet the average standard of that age bracket.  Names like Dingane and Dikeledi meant that if I was going to be teaching in this classroom a seating plan would be a necessary tool that would be put to good use.  It was interesting and exciting to here the children responded to various questions with ‘Yes teacher,’ in a thick and calming South African accent.

To say that I was definitely in for a cultural shock is an understatement. The schooling is South Africa is very different to that found in Northern Ireland.  The first time I walked into at grade 6 class (Primary 5/6) I was in astonished at the lack of resources available and your main teaching tools consist of a chalkboard and a  text books per subject, which some have to share.  Further, the teaching goes against everything that Stranmillis has ever taught me in catering for the needs of every pupil in my care and adapting my teaching methods to develop and progress the learning of each child.   It is evident that the children are all taught at the same level and the use of differentiation to provide for the various learning styles is not considered as a means of supporting the various levels of learning within the classroom. 

It is quite difficult to watch children being taught through rote learning and observe them struggling to form the relevant strategies, to develop their learning and skills for themselves to and ultimately hindering them from reaching their maximum potential.   Robert fisher (1998) outlines that this theoretical knowledge based learning is a method in which inhibits learning and promotes the idea that children come to learning as ‘vessels to be filled’ or ‘fires to be lit.’  After observing the numerous lessons I was determined that when the roles were reversed I would endeavour to make my lessons, interactive, fun and worthwhile to every child.

The means of assessment fails to support and enhance the child’s development and rather degrades the confidence and self esteem of many of the pupils.  To ask the children who got all the answers wrong and to hear children laughing at their peers was a very uncomfortable sight to witness.  It wasn’t until now that I fully understand the importance of using assessment as a means of that only enhances and supports the learners within the classroom.  This is reiterated by Gardner (2006) who states that indeed assessment must first and foremost; serve the purpose of supporting learning.

One aspect that I found quite strange was that the children move around the school to receive their various lessons and they have many different teachers. Therefore a teacher will only teach a one or two subjects similar to our post-primary schooling in Northern Ireland.

Later in the day the teacher gave me the opportunity to teach a few numeracy and literacy lessons to grade four (primary ¾) and grade seven (primary 7).  This was quite interesting as I was handed the textbook and a piece of chalk and told what I had to cover by the end of the period.  I definitely had to think quickly on my feet and try and produce a lesson that the children understood what was being taught and that they met the relevant success criteria.  I thoroughly enjoyed this experience as the children latched themselves onto my every word, purely because I was the first white male student teacher they had encountered and this was a completely new experience to them. What was also refreshing and apparent was that the children actually want to learn and they appreciate their education unlike many children in the UK and Northern Ireland.



Teaching at the chalkboard"



On a more positive light, it is clear that the school recognises the need to involve the community in establishing and creating a learning environment where parents and professionals work to build a school were children learn the necessary skills to survive and progress in life.  The school has many programmes in which they provide an outreach for the community.  An example of this is the daily soup kitchen were an hour before the children go home; parents and members of the wider community come and receive a hot meal.  In return the community assist the school with keeping the grounds clean and safe for the children to play in during break and lunchtime.  This was a very humbling experience in which I came to appreciate the poverty found within the area and indeed acknowledging the backgrounds in regards to the home environment in which these children were coming from. 

                                                                                    

School starts at 08:00 and ends at 14:00, which means we have the whole afternoon to experience the African culture and experience the student life found within the NMMU campus.  We have already been to a few Madibaz (nickname for NMMU) rugby matches and plan to sign up to a few clubs and societies found within the University.  So I can safely say this has been a worthwhile and learning experience.  BRING ON WEEK THREE!

 

Until next time,

"Baai."

Callum

The Journey begins....

Week 1: Personal

James Agee once said that “without adventure life would be nothing.” On the 2^nd of February I boarded a plane bound for South Africa realising that I was leaving family and friends behind but excited that I was about to embark  on one of the most significant and unforgettable experiences of my life. 

It wasn’t until I actually sat on my seat on the first flight that it really dawned that I was leaving the comfort zone behind and that I was going to experience Africa for the first time and for a period of four months.  Although I have been given many opportunities to travel across the world to America and countries in Europe, I had never visited Africa.  I felt that experiencing the diverse culture and “lekka” attitude of South African people, this would enable me to enhance and develop me not simply on a professional basis but rather a personal level.

Our Journey overall lasted just over 30 hours altogether and we stopped off in Abu Dhabi in Saudi Arabia and the Capital of South Africa  Johannesburg before reaching our final destination of Port Elizabeth (PE).  We stepped off the aeroplane to be greeted with sunshine and heat, a complete contrast from leaving Northern Ireland and the rain.  As we proceeded through immigration it was apparent the influence and investment that had been made in preparing South Africa for the 2010 Football World Cup. The walls and floors had been draped in colour and welcome signs in all differing languages.  This automatic colourful and enlightened atmosphere helped me appreciate the pride and joy that the South African nation felt in hosting such a great event terms of world sport.

As we collected our luggage and moved into the arrival lounge we were met by members of NNMU (Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University) who were going to take us to our accommodation.  As we drove from the airport, I got my first glimpse of how different South Africa and indeed PE was in comparison to any place I have visited before.  We were soon made aware of the beauty of the coastline as our driver drove us to Brightways in Summerstand; our home for the next four months. The busy backdrop of a developing city coupled with blue clear skies and the crystal open sea made PE a tranquil and calming city.  I was welcomed to my accommodation by “Jo Jo” a South Africa native who was very helpful and informed us were the nearest amenities and other services were in relation to our accommodation, so  we could gather some things before heading to the University campus to find out contact for the trip Divinnia Philly. 

The next day we whisked off the bush with fifty other international students to the Umlambo Camp were we would be taking part in an international student orientation weekend.  I didn’t know what to expect and was quite apprehensive.  However, our first stop to us to a wildlife sanctuary we were given the opportunity to become familiar with the various animals found in South Africa, such as snakes, crocodiles and various other ‘friendly’ birds, reptiles and amphibians.  There were many students from various parts of  the USA, Finland, Germany and Sweden who all were taking part in exchange programmes, so it was interesting to listen and discuss what they had made of South Africa so far, as well as get close to some of the most dangerous animals in the world.  This was a really worthwhile activity as it immediately placed us out of our comfort zone and we all received the necessary information to be able to identify the deadly animals from the more friendly creatures.  Further it gave us a group some time to get to know each other a little better. 

We were all taken to campsite and had a traditional African lunch, which was needed after the long journey from PE.  The weekend consisted of getting to know you and team building games as well as NNMU sessions surrounding registration and other issues of studying at NNMU.  We all took part in the activities with enthusiasm and excitement and at the end of the day we met many different people from all walks of life who were going to be experiencing the same things we were while away from home.  Even when the heavens opened and the rain kept coming and coming, spirits remained on a high and we all had a great time on the weekend.  I can confidently state that we gained the necessary information needed for registration and also had the opportunity to meet various diverse and different people from all around the world.

 

In the rain

 

Sunshine



Until next time,
"Totsiens"(Goodbye)
Callum.