So 4 corner debate was very simple. We divided the classroom into 4 corners putting the desks in the room. Luckily my girls, have gotten used to following instruction long before I explain the rules, so we moved around the classroom and all of them were sitting down, I started to explain, that I wanted to hear their thoughts and reasoning and hopefully to be able to defend...ALL in English...I still at times forget they aren't native English speakers, but today was a day that they still surprised me. I also explained that this wasn't suppose to be an argument but just a time to hear other thoughts and ideas.
I explained that after I read each question and wrote it on the board, they would reflect and then go to one of the four corners of the room labelled: Strongly Agree, Strongly Disagree, Agree and Disagree. I wasn't so sure about this, but I really wanted to see what would happen. Here in Cambodia, many times they are set to following a set of rules put in place for them and growing up memorizing in schools and not necessarily actually thinking. They also have a hard time, standing out. They want to apart of something, so many times they don't follow what they think or want, but what is considered correct. Something that anyone that has gone through junior high understands, but these girls need to know there is more! I really think sometimes they get tired of me telling them to think about their dreams and if they could what would they do, but I want them to consider new things, not the one thing that has been put in front of them, they deserve more...
So the first question was You shouldn't have to wear school uniforms, normal questions people argue about in the states and the points addressed were so different. So the agrees were saying, "We respect the rules of the school, so we wear our uniform." Also that, they want people to know when they see them before and after school, that they are Don Bosco students, they are proud of where they go to school. And then the disagree-ers were the, "Well, not all the university students have to where them." A nice openers, I think not too serious but got 'em talking.
The second was "If you could, would you leave Cambodia to live/work somewhere else." This one brought a bit more of a debate there was a fine line between those that wanted to go outside and those that will never leave, similar everywhere. The disagreers it was just something they didn't fathom leaving their home and family, understandable! And then those, many of the girls that had live in group homes or in with organization, felt they had to go if the opportunity came about. To learn things about the world, and be able to share those things with Cambodia as well as share Cambodia with others, beautiful right? Got them arguing a bit, what every teacher dreams of! Okay, just this day! The final consensus was some where happy in Cambodia and wanted to help their own country and some want to go out and see it ALL, but they would in the end come back to Cambodia when they were older.
The third topic was the one, that really surprised me and showed so much into their world and also how great these girls are getting at English. So I said the instructions again, "listen to the topic, choose your corner and then discuss your reasons why you chose it and how to defend with the others." The topic was Money is Everything. I almost didn't say that one because i thought these girls would say disagree all, but no the second I said it, everyone was up running to their corner. It was so loud, them talking about their reasons, and then we begin. Disagree was by far the majority, but each other had around the similar number and in Strongly Agree were 4 of my loudest, laughing and such. So they each said there points. Disagrees were money is important but life, family and happiness are more important in the overall scheme. The strongly disagrees were more forceful saying you aren't anything without your family, something here that is higher than all, too often than not the eldest child ends up in the factories only so that his/her younger siblings have a chance at a higher education. The agrees didn't have a lot to say, I think they felt it but didn't want to take the heat for agree with that statement. Then my 4 strong opinions. They stand up and say that all of that is important but for your family to be happy, they have to have money, and not saying this as money as a comfort but as survival. Also that the only way to better yourself and your family is through education, which always costs. A bit of background, passing or failing is a money game in the village schools of Cambodia, many times teachers are traveling a bit to reach the school and make the children contribute sometimes daily or weekly, now maybe not much everything but here a quarter can keep you going for a bit, if need be. If your grades aren't hot, pay a bit and they are fine, not to say all are like this but I have heard many stories. So they have already grown up in a world where a bit of money helps alot and that clearly it doesn't take much to pass high school, so many, many try to further their education. But so these girls see that you can get somewhere, and no, not that they will slip me money but they are the ones wanting to further, to get a skill, but that none of that is attainable without money. The second they stopped talking, hands shot up all over the room, One comment, was yes, you have to have money to get an education, but if you don't want the knowledge or work at it, the money is useless. Another saying ya, education is great, but your family supports and loves you without them you have nothing. Several others were said and then one of the four stood up, continuing to stand firm to her idea. Knowing her background, gives you a bit more background, her and her sixteen year old sister are living here with the sisters, she has been living with them since she was around 12, 2 or 3 of her siblings are in Thailand working, her family's land they do not own, so it is slowly being taken away from them. She is literally watching her family be pulled apart because of the fact that they have no money, so in her eyes, it is everything, the answer to her problems. So she starts very poetically and building on emotion and all of a sudden, she stumbles on her English and blurps out about three sentences in Khmer and then immediately turned to me apologized and then continued in English. So funny, but she just HAD to get it out, everyone was laughing for several moments and all the hands went back up.
We continued for a couple more minutes and then sadly the bell rang, but it was so great for me to see this, first they were all speaking BEAUTIFUL English and second to see them sharing and defending what they believe, yes i know just a class activity but still!
They said a couple more things before we wrapped up class and left English 1C a very proud teacher. Happy to see so many sharing and also how many of them still see what is truly important and the few that fought for the money side, spent their entire lives struggling to have any, so you see where it comes from.
Class is slowly winding down for all. The first years have their final exams on Monday and Tuesday next week and then we have a week and a half until graduation and then everyone is heading home, pretty quick after that!
Some of the girls, you read so much about!
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| Soreth, she is all dolled up because she is speaking for Oratory! |
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| Thida, Pharika, Sovin, Syna |
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| Syna and Pharika |
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| Srey Leak |
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| Sonita |
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| Theary |
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| all of the first year, where's the blonde girl? |
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| Thida and Srey Leak |
