Page 98 - NOTIMALLINCKRODT 2020

Abrimos las puertas del Colegio I Inglés

The Students Shine a Light

of Hope in Pandemic

Learning in Lockdown

by Carla Collarini de Pestalardo, 5th Year Language Teacher
lockdown zoom

Since the Covid-19 pandemic started, we have become facemasks
used to words like lockdown, facemasks, distance distance learning
learning, synchronic lessons, zoom - words we had
never used (or even heard) before. Our classrooms synchronic lesson
moved to screens, our written work started to be stored
in Google drive or in a Google classroom, breakout
rooms replaced face-to-face pair work and all along,
both teachers and students have tried hard to adapt the of English to communicate - sending email, requesting
new normal to make learning possible and to keep the sessions, asking for clarification, sharing a funny meme
sense of community our school fosters at all times. or chatting on films and books. They have become
more independent learners, managing to organize the
In the midst of all this, I can say we have all learnt assignments and to work according to a schedule that
loads - and not only in the technological front. Teachers suits their needs: many of my students say the balance
have become proficient in using technological devices between work and relaxation has become better during
to make presentations, to revise material in a fun way, the lockdown, and that they have learnt to become more
to have one-on-one speaking sessions to help our organized and to use their time more efficiently.
students and we have adapted to new environments and
timetables. We have also learnt to juggle teaching from To see this happening is a true blessing. In a moment
home and taking care of our families. However, I think when we all long to go back to our classes the way they
it is students who have learnt the most, at least that is used to be and when many people are discouraged and
what my students show me every day. worried about the future, the students shine a light of
hope. Brave, young women facing difficult situations
My students have acquired new on-line abilities (and in and conquering them, never giving up…. May Blessed
many cases, they have helped and guided their teachers Mother Pauline give us all the strength to keep on being
when we blundered with google form or a file failed to up to the many challenges this pandemic has brought
attach to an email). They have experienced (probably along. g
more than any other students before them) the value

We have all learnt loads - and not only in the tech- The students have become more independent
nological front. Teachers have become proficient in learners, managing to organize the assignments
using technological devices. We have also learnt to and to work according to a schedule that suits their
juggle teaching from home and taking care of our needs.
families.

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