Set up only six weeks ago, S.C.A.O. now provides a conversation class at the New School. After the demand of some higher level students this class was founded in order to offer students and citizens of Som Roung village the possibility to practise their spoken English. As it is meant to improve oral skills there is no grammar taught in conversation class. It is aimed that participants become more fluent and lose their shyness of talking English. Further, it is the goal to increase the knowledge of vocabulary so the students are able to apply it faster outside of school. The class consists of eight participants in average. As it is still farley new, we hope to enlarge the number on 15 students in the future. Since whether no teachers or students are free during daytime, this class takes place Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 7:15 – 8:15 p.m.
The idea behind the name “ conversation class” was to let students as well as available teachers interfere together through discussions and exchange of information about personal interest. As there are difficulties with general knowledge and understanding tasks, an open debate is not possible yet. Instead the focus is concentrated on role plays and introducing different topics such as “The world” or “Environment”. Two teachers guide the class, give support, teach and ensure the development of the attendees. Fortunate there are enough volunteers in the New School at this moment to introduce face to face talks between students and teachers. Over all in first place this class is a great example how people from different cultures can benefit from each other.
