SFU education students teach French in Cuba

February 7 , 2007

SFU education students spent a month at Pedro Maria High school in Santa Clara, Cuba as part of the Secondary Core French practicum. Our student teachers experienced language teaching at the high school level, as well as, at the Felix Varela Pedagogical institute, teaching French to both second and third year students several times a week. Spanish lessons, Cuban history lectures, and cultural visits were also incorporated into the visit.

Paired with a Cuban student teacher, the SFU education students attended methodology sessions on the principles of language teaching and a particular focus on reflective practice and transformative teaching and learning.

"Cuba provided the opportunity to learn a great deal about community and what great things we can accomplish in the classroom and in our lives when we work together. I have never felt such a strong sense of community in my life," said Natalie Berg. "This is something I want to teach in my classroom."

The Professional Programs approach for using a Reflection Journal has now been adopted by the Institute as part of their teacher training program as well.

Andrea Blakie felt that her experience on the Cuba project with the 2005 group helped her to better understand her needs with a changing environment. "It seems like part of what it takes to be happy and successful in an unpredictable or changing environment is a good understanding of one's most basic needs as a teacher, things that one can maintain control of no matter what. For me, that means taking even two or three minutes to get my thoughts in a row, taking the time to learn just a few things about my students as people and incorporating things I am passionate about into my teaching. These few things I can use as my lighthouse or lifeboat in any stormy seas."

This is the second year Professional Programs in the Faculty of Education has collaborated with the Felix Varela Pedagogical Institute in Cuba on this unique practicum experience that benefit both Canadian and Cuban student teachers alike.

Click here to see a photo gallery from the Cuba Project.