English Bootcamp – The last day
Today’s early start at 6am felt somewhat different to the previous ones, it’s the last day of our two week Boot Camp. Cycling through Kampong Cham at 7.30am on the way to the library, taking in all that the morning has to offer – children waving and greeting, dogs wandering the streets, women doing their laundry on the front steps of their huts with a smile on their faces and their little toddlers climbing all over the place. This is my second Boot Camp that I’m privileged enough to take part in, I therefore knew that this day was going to be emotional to say the least. Teaching the...
Read MoreBlog 8 Adam Hawley
If you’ve been reading the other blogs, you’ve been well informed of our routine. Up early, breakfast by the Mekong River, an idyllic sunrise then off to our perfectly temperate classrooms to work with our group of diligent Cambodian English teachers. Actually, no one ever said that about the classrooms – they are sweltering – but the rest is entirely accurate. It’s the second to last day of Boot Camp, as Friday is the Cambodian King’s funeral; and therefore a rare public holiday here, whilst Thursday will be halved to allow for the presentations ceremony. All of...
Read MoreBootcamp Blog 7 – Ella Donaldson
Started the day with breakfast watching the red sun rise over the Mekong River. Breakfast consisting of a fresh baguette and two eggs all for one dollar - as the days progress I can see myself adapting more and more to life in Kampong Cham. After breakfast it’s time to saddle up on my bike and head to school. Today I took the route along the river passing a beautiful temple ornately decorated in bright reds and gold, pop up stalls selling sugar cane and coconut drinks by the road and locals gathered together for a morning chat. It seems wherever you go in Cambodia, whether outside their...
Read MoreBootcamp Blog 6 – John Mills
Last week’s lessons I think went very well. A challenge in some ways as about 80% of the Cambodian Teachers have returned for a second year meaning a lot of new material was required however the other 20% could have really used some of last years work to bring them up to speed. There are also a high percentage of the new teachers whose English is so basic they are struggling to understand the lessons. Herein lies the overall problem and the reason we are here in the first place. These teachers are standing in front of their classes teaching their pupils a language they cannot speak even...
Read MoreBootcamp Blog 5 by Jan Lewis
Jan’s Bootcamp Blog RETIREMENT!!!!!! The sound of that word put the fear of god into me but on the other hand I was looking forward to doing the things twenty years of continuous teaching and bringing up a family had prevented me doing. I had plans to travel but I never dreamed that when I finally decided to take the plunge and retire, within a short time, I would be jetting across the world to take part in the Bike for Cambodia English Bootcamp. I certainly did not have any idea that I would be back in this wonderful country within 11 months to take part in the second Bootcamp. I feel very...
Read MoreBootcamp Blog 4 by Maria Telisia
Another 6.00am start. Quick shower – really running out of shower gel as I hadn’t factored in four or five showers a day – then down to work. Feeling refreshed from yet another good night’s sleep. The local wedding celebrations surprisingly were still not ongoing when I woke up so I’ve got relative quiet in which to do my preparation this morning. I had hoped I was pretty much sorted in terms of preparation but had badly misjudged the overall standard of student I would be offering support to. My material is proving, in the main, adequate for the top group, although...
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