Experience report at my time in a primary school in South Africa

I've been studying to become a primary school teacher in Austria for four semesters now and, parallel to my studies, I've also been able to gain some experience during my internships at various primary schools.

But soon the desire arose to think outside the box and, as a "teaching assistant" in a South African primary school, to gain new insights into a school system that was foreign to me. My main concern was to be able to draw comparisons between the two education systems and to identify differences and similarities. Rainbow Garden Village fulfilled my wish to sit in and teach in a primary school in Cape Town for four weeks.

Teaching in another school system

The class teacher and the third graders immediately made me feel welcome and needed. My tasks consisted mainly of helping the children with their homework, checking tests and reading with the children.

I was also allowed to take over small parts of the English and mathematics lessons. Although the work was very different from that in Austria, which is mainly due to the different ideas about teaching and the class size of 44 children, I gladly accepted the challenge and was enriched in many ways.

A unique experience

I also found the contentment, boundless optimism and positive attitude of the children very admirable. Because although they obviously grew up in simpler circumstances, they appreciate the few things they have. I'm glad to be richer for this unique experience.

Experience report at my time in a primary school in South Africa, report by Viktoria S., 09.10.2017