From Tanay Jaeel, Volunteer Kindergarten Teacher
When I moved to China last year to pursue graduate studies, I never imagined spending my weekends as a Kindergarten Teacher. But when I heard about the mission and vision of MCF, I was drawn to the chance to contribute to the Beijing community and learn from its people.
Because of China’s rapid urban development, every year millions of migrant workers move from rural areas to cities like Beijing in search of economic opportunity. For the children that move with their parents it’s far from an easy transition, involving uprooting their lives, adjusting to a new place at a young age, and maintaining progress in their education without the proper resources.
MCF works with schools across Beijing that help these underprivileged families adjust to their new community and continue their education, with a network of volunteers supporting and teaching over 500 children a week. Being a part of this organization has been a huge honor for me, and I wanted to share how we approach our work as teachers at the MCF West Infants School.
English pronunciation and familiarity
For many of our MCF children, this is the only setting in which they are exposed to English. Given the massive differences in grammar and linguistic structure between English and Chinese, it is key to give young children practice with pronouncing new sounds at an early age. We repeat key vocabulary on a weekly basis to build familiarity with English words, playing games with flashcards and posters to strengthen their associations.
Consistency and community
From the moment you step into the classroom, you feel the energy and buzz of 40 toddlers greeting one another, playing and dancing, and enjoying each other’s company. MCF is about building communities between the children, parents, and teachers to provide a consistent setting for comfort and learning.
Movement, music, and art
One of the most fun parts of class is when the kids get to express themselves through music and art, while also improving their English! Songs like the Hokey Pokey and Bear Hunt build memorable associations with useful English words (such as directions or common verbs like running or swimming). Plus, the smiles on the faces of the children while dancing around or coloring pictures expresses the joy and curiosity we try and foster as teachers.
As I wrap up my final few months in Beijing, I see my time with MCF and in the classroom as one of the absolute highlights. If you’re interested in getting involved, please reach out to us at volunteer@mcfchina.org