The School of our Dreams

With an attendance of over 200 family members and 2-hour show we celebrated English Day!

Every year we gather along with families, students, teachers and sponsors to celebrate English Day. During the event our children share their progress in the language and also prove their creative skills through dancing, acting and singing. Families participate in the planning as they design and make their child's outfit for the big show. We had fish, elephants, food and many more costumes. 

Teacher Katie, one of our international volunteers helped prepare students with their songs and plays.

Some of the main achievements with English Day are:

- COLLABORATION: Students develop team-work skills as they collaborate to put together their show. For example, Fifth grade did Romeo and Juliet. The girl who played Juliet did not want to share the stage with Romeo at the beginning because they had had some conflict in the past but during the rehearsals they came closer, had fun and had an opportunity to rebuild their friendship.

- CREATIVITY: The process of making their own costumes helps students and families to bring out their creative skills and the result is just gorgeous! Moreover, students gain confidence when they go on the stage to face their fears to speak or dance or sing in public.

- CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING: While students prepare for the show they study the different contexts in which that story or song takes place. Second grade learned about healthy food and how precious our Colombian fruits are! Fourth grade reminded everyone of the importance of friendship thorugh the song "Count on me" and fifth graders taught their families about the important author William Shakespeare. These are just examples of how English helps promote cultural understanding among children and their families.

Finally, we would like to share that the school was donated software for 20 computers in order to support the teaching of English with technology. The students will be using the software February next year.

We want to thank you again for believing and supporting this mission that brings not only quality education but also EQUITY, making it possible for low-income families to have access to English language learning which in the past had been a priviledge of the rich.

¡MUCHAS GRACIAS!

Fundación ABLE

Links:

• Watch some of the best English Day moments