private skype

as simple as it is...

it is far from easy to start.  There would be so many "buts" and "ifs" to refrain people from even starting this kind of project.

However, the mom of one of my 5th graders asked me if I could introduce someone from abroad to hold regular conversations with and become friends.

First of all, I also had lots of "buts" 
time difference,
my own busy schedule ~how to find the time to work as an in-between?
the same for the other side, finding a teacher, having the teacher ask the moms the kids, 
technology...and I think I could have listed more, but just 1 hour after she asked me I sent a mail to Julia from Russia, asked her and a week later she had a student who was interested to start this.

  You notice in the video the mom is jumping in far too much.(and wrong), so this was a wonderful chance to show her and teach her to pull back.    
Here is what I told her:  
"If possible, please only interfere if there is a technical problem.  You can advice them, like you did today, that a pen and paper might be good to have, but don't get in any more.  Also leave things like "louder please" "one more time" up to them."  
The second time_ was better but still too much so again I wrote her:
"You must leave things up to the kids.  They will first be slower and not knowing certain things, but as long as you take the leadership non of the kids is going to take it.  If you are out of there they will tell each other what to do, instead of you and feel good about it.  I am learning this myself, and know it is hard.  But it is probably the best lesson for you to learn too."
The third times was out, and it went much better.  (Hopefully I'll get that video) and now the kids are all on their own.

Courage on both sides

of course it needs courage:

As English is L2 for both sides, and probably the moms speak less than their children, 
What to do when something doesn't work out?
What if we don't understand each other and the communication stops
What if
What if 
What if

Not mentioning the time zones and the very busy schedule of the kids to make an arrangement.

Well, you see, Fuka is probably the busiest girl I have in my school, maybe even in town(:, not to talk about their mom caring for 4 daughters while working as well,  but they  made it.
Because they were determined to do so.
​

Plus Plus Plus situation

and
the whole thing is a complete plus for all sides:

the kids:
-make friends with someone abroad
-learn with humor and laughing that learning and improving means making mistakes
-learn about different cultures
-improve their English

the parents
-can see at home how their kid is doing, how they are communicating 
-get "material" to talk about with their kids

the teacher/ I myself:
-gets information from the parents and kids about WHAT they were not able to say, what expressions they would want to use, what they wanted to ask but couldn't, and this way we can improve our curriculum into a more student focussed one and become an even better, efficient classroom.


I'd love to introduce some of my boys to this too, so if you have students interested PLEASE do get in touch!


A- by the way, these kids already scheduled for the next meeting on Tuesday!  And want to continue once a week!  Very exciting.