Off the Grid Education :Teaching English in Remote Areas

In today's world, almost everything that we do seems to center around technology. From the moment we wake up until the time we go back to sleep, most of our activities are affected by modern tech. Even in education, the way that students are being taught now integrates technology, from the use of projectors, computers, phones, tablets, etc. Technology has improved the lives of teachers and learners alike through its ability to cover varied learner types and multiple intelligences, thus making the teaching-learning experience much more efficient.

But what about those living in remote areas? Where electricity and clean water is already a luxury. If educators like us would be solely focused on teaching where we are comfortable, what will happen to them in the future? 

©UNICEF Cambodia/2015/Iman Morooka

Teaching in remote areas allows us to open-up our minds. It humbles us: exposes us to different kinds of trials in the perspective of the teacher and the learner. It is an experience that will really try our passion as educators.

Alyssa Walker said "While certain aspects of teaching in remote areas—like extreme temperatures and devastating social issues—are difficult, the impact you can have as an educator can truly make a difference in people’s lives and inspire others to do the same." Here is my list of ways us instructors can still be effective and efficient in remote areas.

1. Prepare in bulk

©Soler from Youtube

People tend to confuse rural and remote. Most rural areas already have access to electricity, good education, a small market, and even internet. Remote areas have none of those. If you are in an actual remote area, maybe at least a day away from access to good resources. try preparing for the future. If there is access to an urban area around a day away, just purchase materials in bulk. Prepare the things you need in the long term. Then, even when you are limited, how you teach will not be affected by a situation like lack of materials for the visual aids. That's one of the basic ways of teaching anyways, a written visual aid. Also, if you take care of the visual aids that you make, they can last for a long while. This will help make your future classes easier and your mastery of the topic, your delivery, and the experience that you give to your students will improve.

2. Use your environment

©UNESCO/Karel Prinsloo

Slowly build up their vocabulary by teaching them the English translations of the objects around them. They will keep seeing those objects everyday which will allow their brains to keep getting reminded of what you have taught them. This will provide them with a learning experience that is authentic. One that will last them a lifetime. Slowly but surely they will learn English words and then they will know how to use them. Just remember that they will need time because your classes will be their only avenue to learn more.

3. Take them on field trips

©BachelorStudies.com

Field trips may be too luxurious a word, if you're in a remote area, your chances of getting an actual field trip are low. But it doesn't necessarily mean that you can't make them experience something similar. Walk them around the community. If there's a rice field, teach them something using that. If there's a farm, use that. If there's a scenic view, use this opportunity to make them better at using descriptive words. Make the most out of what is at your disposal. Get them to love English in a way that is special to them.

4. Use collaborative strategies

©UNESCO Poulomi Basu

Let them use what they've learned on each other. Give them time to practice the things you've taught them and let them learn from each other's mistakes. Facilitate their experience by correcting any wrong information that they might share with one another and let them be creative with the words that they know. Allow them to enjoy it English, let them get used to using the words. Just be ready to butt in when you're needed.

5. Be understanding

©UNESCO/Karel Prinsloo

Do not expect that you're students will have much background knowledge about English. Depending on where they are, they might have no apparent need of the language. They might have no clue about it at all. So, as with all teachers in all situations, be understanding of your students. Do not be irritated when they don't know what you're saying or have a hard time learning, they're blank slates. Do the best that you can, and if they appreciate what you're doing for them, they'll be more enthusiastic about your class. You won't see results immediately, maybe you wont see results at all. The important thing you should think of is developing or instilling a sense of wanting to learn into them. Make them teachable. Help them be open-minded and they will learn more and more as time goes on.

In the words of Nelson Mandela, "education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." As a teacher, we must be open to change, we must be flexible. What I've put here might not be true in certain circumstances. All that you see here might be completely inapplicable to what you're experiencing. But, for the learners, persevere. Become better as a person and as a teacher.