When we teach, values are always implicit. Showing respect for others, taking turns, assuming responsibility and turning in assignments on time are key values that are an integral part of what students learn in school. These values teach children not only to be good class members, but are a basis for learning to become good citizens and community members.
Which values are best?
The question isn’t whether or not teachers should be teaching values, but what kinds of values should teachers help students develop. First, by being a positive role model, a teacher models the right behaviours. These include honesty, showing respect for others, taking responsibility for one’s actions, cooperation and caring. Students are the reflections of their teacher. The way teacher acts, behaves and talks, is observed and evaluated by the student.
Secondly, by teaching students how to think and evaluate what they are learning, they are teaching values along with course content. For example, a lesson that teaches about Earth Day not only teaches facts and numbers, but also about caring for the environment.
Language impacts our values
English teachers, by the very nature of their course content, teach values. The languages that we learn and speak impact the way we think, the way we see the world, and the way we live our lives. When children learn a second language, they learn more than words. They learn about different cultures, about different ways of thinking and about how to accept and respect differences.
More than 30 years of experience in teaching English as a Foreign Language has shown me that the original methodology that our trained Helen Doron teachers use in the classroom to teach English supports learning good values. Our teachers use positive reinforcement, which teaches students respect for others, as well as respect for themselves. Learning through fun and games in small groups of 4-8 students teaches good sportsmanship and team building skills.
Be part of a global community
Helen Doron is a community and Helen Doron lessons bring out communal awareness. This is something we teach in our classes. While I don’t usually use this blog format as a personal platform, I am quite pleased to announce our global campaign, Young Heroes, which empowers children to bring about change in their communities. The campaign will run from April to June, 2017 and speaks directly to values of Helen Doron English: teaching students about caring for each other, the environment and the community. Helen Doron English learning centres from all over Europe. South America and Asia will be participating in this worthwhile campaign that encourages children to embrace their inner hero and become better world citizens. We’re calling on all students to join our campaign. The Young Heroes project isn’t limited to Helen Doron English students; anyone from a school, club or community centre who wants to form a team and participate in this worthy endeavor can do so. Anyone can be a Young Hero!
Young Heroes emphasizes that being a hero doesn’t require superpowers or even special skills. It is about children working together as a team to improve the lives of the people and animals around them.
The Young Heroes project is divided into three key phases: Discover. Dream. Do. Under the guidance of our teachers and with the support of their parents, we encourage children to go out into the community and Discover challenges that need solving. Next, they are asked to Dream up solutions. Finally, they are asked to carry out the project — to Do what they planned in the classroom. Any child, no matter how small, or tall, can make a difference in their community. Young Heroes shows you how. Join us, as we lead change in our communities Find out more at: www.helendoron.com/youngheroes
