For our last visit in Pocos, we went to a language center night session. There were perhaps 11 students and three teachers in a small room. I did my Mississippi presentation, and then we started a question-and-answer session with the students.
The questions they asked us and that we asked of them led to some very thought-provoking discussions. One of the students had lived in the US until very recently. Two of the teachers had been educated at least partially in the US. When we talked about the differences between US and Brazilian schools, they were outspoken in their opinions and desires. Two of them expressed a desire to go back. Several of the other students expressed a desire to go to the US as well.
They expressed how much they missed certain things the US system has that are not in the Brazilian system such as extracurricular activities, and almost every student commented on the differences in education at public and private schools in Brazil. They were frustrated and vocal. We sat and listened, asked questions, pondered.
I came away from the discussion with an expanded understanding of student life in Brazil. They emphasized what we'd been hearing again and again since we arrived, wrapped it almost like a vignette of the whole trip in that one room. I will continue to turn these students' and teachers' comments over in my mind as I think about everything I have seen here.
No comments:
Post a Comment