STUDENTSSWAPUKCLASSROOM FORTHE OPPORTUNITYTO TEACH IN MOROCCO

from Shropshire Magazine April 2023

WORDSPIRALS IMPOSSIPUZZLES

Anexciting new partnership with Association Aghbalou, an educational charity,has offered students at Wolverhampton Grammar Schoolthe opportunity to teach young Moroccans in aschool in the countryside outside Marrakech.

After six weeks of training and learninguseful teaching skills, 10 WGS students accompanied by the Head andtwo teachers set off for Marrakech. Following aday of acclimatisation and the chance to experience some local culture, it was soon time to visit L’École de Douar Shib, aprimary school 15 miles outside the city.The school is typical of many set up to serve alocal rural population but is receiving the benefitofsome investment thanks to Association Aghbalou, and the improvements to what would otherwise be very basic classroomfacilities and resources was evident. The inward delegation from Wolverhampton was also to serve as good publicity for the inspiring work that is happening at L’École de Douar Shib, embedding additional educational programmes which will have ameasurable impact on pupils’ academic and pastoral development. It is believed that this is the first time that anyone hasbrought school students from overseas to teach and as aresult the project has attracted the interest of the Moroccan Education Minister and local press.

The programme for the week consisted of three hours of English tuition every morning with other subjects such as art, music and sport taught in the afternoon. WGS students were supported by students from L’École Normale Supérieure de Marrakech (part of the Cadi Ayyad University in Marrakech) who are currently studying for teaching degrees.

Saâd Baddou, of Association Aghbalou, said: “The visit by Wolverhampton Grammarstudents and teachers has had an enormous impact. We have been able to establish acooperation between different levels of schooling and to help embed English teaching now and for the future.”

Maisie, 16, who is interested in becoming ateacher found her interests in education were furthered by her time in Morocco. The Wolverhampton Grammar student said: “Thechildrenin my class didn’t speak any English but they were able to learn from us and start using words and phrases both inside and outside the classroom. It was rewarding to see the growth in their use of language by the end of the week. It has certainly made me even more determined to pursue acareer in teaching.”

This life-changing opportunity has made atruly memorable impression on all the students involved and Wolverhampton Grammar Schoollooks forward to continuing this partnership and seeing many more students benefitfrom these visits.

To find out more about the extracurricular enrichment opportunities at Wolverhampton Grammar School contact the admissions office on 01902 422939.