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A wonderful programme that exceeded my expectations. |
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UPON MY RETURN to Canada, a friend asked me about my trip, and it took me only a second of reflection to answer that forming relationships with my Cuban students was undoubtedly the best part for me. After several weeks back home and many more opportunities for reflection, I would answer in the same way, adding only that getting to know people other than the students, including some of my teaching colleagues was also very satisfying.
Orientation week
AS PARTICIPANTS FROM previous years have noted, our ESL guide Idania Morero was knowledgeable, candid and very professional. She has a wonderful sense of humour that serves her well in dealing with the many different personalities she encounters in her job, our group included.
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My Cuban students touched me deeply by their openness and generosity. |
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The activities chosen for orientation week provided us with a good overview of Cuban life, society and education. I particularly enjoyed the rooftop dance lesson in Old Havana, and the visits to the preschool and elementary school. I was impressed by Cuba's generosity to the world in running the Latin American School of Medicine; also impressive are Cuba's efforts at reconstruction and renovation of old buildings, as evidenced by the development of colleges specializing in the teaching of the skills needed to do so, such as the one we visited.
Unfortunately, due to illness (my own and that of a colleague), I was unable to participate in three days of the orientation week, and thus missed the tour of Vedado (thankfully, I had already visited many of the landmarks during previous trips to Cuba), tour of the University, morning with the elders and other activities. However, my own bout of flu and that of my colleague allowed me to learn much about the excellent Cuban health facilities and generosity of Cuban people.
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Welcome sign at the Angela Landa primary school in Habana Vieja. |
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On the day that our colleague was ill, a woman who turned out to be a nurse approached us on the street. She helped us get to a Cuban hospital, where our colleague was treated promptly and competently free of charge. This woman offered to stay with our colleague for about two hours on her day off while the rest of us completed our morning activities. Our colleague was then transferred to the hospital for foreigners (Calixto Garcia) by ambulance, free of charge; there, she received prompt and competent care at a minimal cost.
Indeed, a valuable learning experience, if not one to wish for! Fortunately for me I did not require a trip to the hospital, but did contact a doctor through our hotel. The doctor's office is at the nearby Hotel Vedado, and I was given the option of a house call or office visit. I chose to see the doctor in her office, where I was seen immediately; the visit cost 50 CUC, which, I am told, is about average for a tourist consultation.
The day at Las Terrazas was a wonderful break from the city, and the fresh water swim, which only a few of us braved, was very refreshing!
Our bus driver for the week was friendly and very competent.
Teaching, the essense of our trip!
University of Havana's Faculty of Foreign Languages (FLEX)
AS A PSYCHOLOGIST, I had hoped to be able to teach in some of the English classes at the Faculty of Psychology. There was some confusion with schedules on the first day (something which we addressed with the coordinator during a feedback meeting at the end of our visit) and it turned out that my name had been left out of the schedule. I ended up going to FLEX on the second day and telling them that I was available to teach and one of the professors of the Preparatory level (the most basic level) invited me into his classroom with another volunteer colleague. This turned out to be such a successful arrangement that I did not pursue anything else for the remainder of my stay and taught in this class three days a week until 1:00pm.
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ESL Cuba Volunteers Linda Scarlett-Hauk, Ellie Lau and Mimi on the way to classes at the University. The statue is called Alma Mater. |
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On two of my "free" days, I mentioned to the professor that I was going into Old Havana to visit some of the museums (Museum of the Revolution, for example) and he asked me if I would like two of his students to accompany me. Would I? These two days were among the best of the entire programme: the students enjoyed the opportunity to converse in English for almost an entire day AND they got a day away from school! I was lucky enough to get to know four young people in a different, less formal context than I would have otherwise. We are currently emailing.
Teaching at the Preparatory level suited me perfectly as I am not a teacher by profession and have no formal ESL teacher training. However, I had done some reading as preparation and have, in my career, spent many hours in classrooms. I found that what the students and the professor seemed to be looking for most was the opportunity to practice conversing with a native speaker. Our professor was excellent at incorporating us into his curriculum, alternating between talking with small groups, rehearsing their exercises, critiquing their pronunciation, and giving a talk on Canadian weather. I had brought letters from Canadian students and the professor turned his class over to me for about two hours, as the students composed responses to my letters. I was very impressed with the proficiency attained by the students in their few months of study, both in oral and written language. They are extremely motivated!
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University students and their professors sought the opportunity to converse in English with a native speaker. |
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Other members of our group taught at various levels, including giving a lecture on literary criticism. Some taught in the faculties of economics, political science, philosophy, etc. I gather from conversations with them that the level of English of these students tends to be quite elementary.
On a practical level, the walk from our hotel to FLEX takes about 25-30 minutes.
Casa del niño y de la niña [House of the boy and girl]
Click here to learn about the origins and objectives of the Casa school.
WHAT A DELIGHT it was to work with the children at the Casa! Unlike the University students, most of the children had very little, if any, English. However, this certainly did not affect their motivation! They seemed to enjoy the lessons, even after an entire day at school. Often, we had to urge them to leave after over an hour and a quarter!
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Three eager students at the House of the boy and girl. Often they wanted to stay after class for more English lessons. |
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The room at the Casa is fairly small, and all of us working there shared the space. I ended up team-teaching with two colleagues and found that this approach worked well. We were able to work with a larger group, and alternated taking responsibility for the activities. This was all done quite informally and with a minimal level of preparation. We spent some time working with the kids outside in their playground, and thus were able to make more noise! The kids enjoyed this active approach and we played games such as "pass the ball and repeat a phrase" and "what time is it Mr. Wolf?" We sang songs such as "the hokey pokey," and generally had a good time. When indoors, we played more subdued games such as "I spy" (the kids were already familiar with this game, in Spanish) and Bingo that was a favourite. The kids also taught us one of their card games, which we played in English.
One of the things I do at home is teach children how to train their dog through the 4-H Club. Well, I was able to arrange a demonstration at the Casa, as one of the children was very interested in dogs, so we borrowed a dog and taught it a few English commands! ESL para los perros!
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We had to urge our primary students to leave after over an hour and a quarter of lessons! |
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I was very impressed by the commitment to her community and generosity of Rosita Sardiñas, the coordinator and driving force at the Casa. She is amazing! She is encouraging a young man from the community to continue English lessons with the children. We left many of our materials there for him to use. These may also be of use to the next ESL volunteer groups.
Teaching materials
I BROUGHT SOME flashcards downloaded free from an ESL site on the internet, which worked well with the children, especially cards with action words. Games as noted above were very useful. Everyone, young and old, really enjoyed looking at a small photo album I had made with pictures of my family, community, kids I work with in dog obedience, and snow! The photo album was a terrific icebreaker with anyone I met. The letters I brought from children I know in Canada were very successful at the University.
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Neighbourhood children sing and recite poetry during a CDR (Committees for the Defense of the Revolution) street party organized for ESL Volunteers. |
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Gifts and donations
ALL GIFTS WERE received with gratitude. The following were things that seemed to be especially appreciated:
At the University Spanish-English dictionaries, pens and pencils with a Nova Scotia University logo, Canadian flag pins (free from your Member of Parliament), maple syrup, small photo booklets about Nova Scotia. Next time, I would also bring more English reading material and some chalk.
At the Casa School supplies with a twist: for example, pens with fluffy animals on them, decorated pencils, erasers and pencil sharpeners in cool shapes, notebooks with pictures on the front covers, whistles, rulers, etc., Halloween chocolate bars and other treats. All of these we left up to Rosita to distribute equitably. Some of us also brought baby supplies, which we gave to Rosita: she knows her community and makes sure that the needy will receive what they can use. Canada flag pins were hugely popular here and coveted by all! I suspect anything with a Canadian flag on it would be received well.
Tamara Bunke School This is the primary level language school where our guide Idania teaches. They could use almost everything, from dictionaries (English- or French-Spanish) to chalk, audio-visual equipment, English or French reading material as well as material (students' or teachers' books) compatible with the Spectrum communicative course in English (1999), which is the method they use. They currently have to work with very little!
For hotel staff When it became known among the staff that we were "English teachers," many asked us for ESL supplies: dictionaries, books, etc. These would make great gifts.
WOMEN APPRECIATE fashionable clothing: the sexier and more form-fitting, the better. Leave them your Lycra T-shirts! Things for their children/grandchildren are always needed.
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Beautiful Villa Tropico beach in Jibacoa 60 kilometers east of Havana. |
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Rest and relaxation
ON THE WEEKEND in between the two teaching weeks, our group dispersed and undertook various activities. Some went on overnight excursions to Trinidad de Cuba, Santa Clara or Viñales, all well worth a visit. Everyone had a good weekend. I chose R & R, and went to the Villa Tropico (also known as Cameleon) in Jibacoa for a restful weekend on the beach. At a cost of only about $70.00 for the night, including a private cabana, all meals, drinks (alcoholic too) and watersports (catamaran, guided snorkeling trip, etc), it was a bargain. This resort is Cuban-run and much cheaper than the Breezes next door. The taxi there (about one hour) was about 75 CUC each way, not bad if shared.
Accommodation and food
THE HOTEL SAINT JOHNS was adequate. Rooms were smallish with comfortable beds, with windows in some rooms opening, while others (my own, for example) did not. However, I did have a great view! Air conditioning was in working order. Bathrooms were clean but we had no hot water for all but one day [since fixed]. Showers were invigorating! Electricity was exclusively 220V in the rooms, but I was able to charge my camera batteries at the reception desk. Staff were friendly and receptive to suggestions and requests. For example, the curtains in my room were very dirty when I checked in, and, after a polite note to my housekeeper, were replaced promptly.
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More University students with their letter from a Nova Scotia child. |
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Any minor malfunctions (plumbing, air con, etc) were responded to within minutes. Staff are very appreciative of tips. There is no internet at Saint Johns and the internet at neighbouring Hotel Vedado seemed never to be available because they had none of the cards necessary to use it. However, the Hotel Nacional and Hotel Habana Libre have service at about 3 CUC minimum for 15 minutes. Be patient, this is not the land of high-speed! The hotel's bar, swimming pool and top floor rooms were closed during our stay due to renovations. However, I used the pool at Hotel Vedado, without any problems. Just walk in wearing a bathing suit and jump in!
THE HOTEL BREAKFAST buffet is plentiful and very good. Make friends with the woman who cooks the eggs! The hotel's dining room is also open for other meals. I had dinner there on a few occasions, with mixed results. On one occasion, the food was not good, while every other time it was quite good. Again, staff were very friendly and accommodating, preparing soup for a colleague who was ill and allowing us to deliver it to her room.
MY FAVOURITE RESTAURANTS included Maraka's, an Italian restaurant next door to the hotel. They serve a great variety of tasty pasta dishes, good pizza, soup and salads and a wicked tiramisu. Prices are very reasonable. Look for the waiter named Sosa and say hi for me. An extremely good paladar restaurant is the DeCameron; Idania Morero (our ESL guide) will probably take you there, if she doesn't, ask her to: it's really worth it! You need a taxi to get there. Closer by is Monseigneur, pretty good and reasonable. A nice treat was the restaurant on the main floor at the Habana Libre. Again, be patient, service takes a while! Don't leave Havana without visiting Coppelia, the famous ice cream parlour, only a couple of blocks from the hotel on Avenida 23 (La Rampa). Other goodies: pizza in China Town(!) and "street sandwiches" in Old Havana (very cheap).
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Students dance the salsa during lively classtime party on "Students Day." |
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We didn't see anybody eating lunch at the University. I chose to get some local money (moneda nacional) and went to a farmers market ("agro" in Cuban) to buy fresh fruit and vegetables. These, along with some cheese saved from breakfast and some crackers from home made good lunches. Food at the market is very cheap: 1lb tomatoes, 2 big avocados and a bunch of the national flowers, the mariposas, all for 55 cents! I bought a pineapple for 50 cents and bananas were the equivalent of about 10 cents each. Great bread, croissants, nice sandwiches and pastries can be bought at the little bakery two blocks from the hotel on a street to the left on the way to the Casa del niño y de la niña [House of the boy and girl].
Bottled water is 1 CUC at the little stand-up café next to Maraka's (50 centavos less than across the street) and their Cuban coffee is really tasty for 50 centavos. Rum bottles there are also pretty cheap. A larger selection can be had at the liquor store in the Habana Libre or at the PanAmericana store near the Habana Libre.
In closing
MY EXPERIENCE during the three-week trip in Havana was personally very satisfying. The website proclaims: "they made friends," and this certainly was my experience. I have been corresponding with a few people since my return and hope to continue to do so. My Cuban students touched me deeply by their openness and generosity. I have been to Cuba many times before; I will continue to do so. I would be pleased to talk to any prospective participant in this very worthwhile project.
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