Introduction

Slideshow

Lorna - The wanderers return!

The day has arrived when I get to hear about all the adventures of my one-time students. Unfortunately I was unable travel with them and so must experience all that they have vicariously through them. The general consensus is that the trip was an overwhelming success! They all enjoyed themselves; especially meeting and working with all the young people in the youth centre. They were warmly received by all and had a real connection with the youths they were working with. They all concurred that they would recommend the trip to others and that they felt it would help them secure a job in the future.
The German however, is another story. They didn’t use everything that I taught them but a few German words passed their lips, so I cannot be too disappointed. One reason for this though, was the fact that all the young people wanted to practice their English with them and the students being as nice as they were, couldn’t refuse- well that’s what they told me anyway!
All in all, I am extremely pleased at how the trip to Berlin turned out. Everybody is happy and has gained some vital experience. What more could I ask for?

Gina - Final thoughts

Denero - Final thoughts

Sergiy - Final thoughts

Jasmine - Final thoughts

Jasmine - View of the project

I've enjoyed the whole two weeks, it was nice to see the change from the first day when everyone was worried and saying that they couldn't do this, that the two weeks was too long and the final few days when everyone was thinking I can actually do another week. We've enjoyed it so much, we've learned so much , we've been able to do things we wouldn't have been able to experience back home in London. I think they've been able to do it all here. In such a short amount of time they've learnt so much about themselves, so much about the world, so much about people, it's just been a really rewarding experience. I think we've all taken something from the whole two weeks.

Gina - Reflective Diary

Today's session was on S.T.I's. The young people had to brain storm all the S.T.I's that they knew and I would give them facts about them, we also had a leaving party. I was very disappointed that some of the young people didn't take it seriously. It was only a small group and the guys got easily distracted, or wouldn't participate. I've learnt that I can control my emotions when it comes to young people. Asking open questions helps young people get involved and to know when to stop an activity that the young people are not enjoying. I have learnt to ask previously if the activity that I'm planning will be enjoyable to them and to have more activities for the young people to do.

Out and About

Wendel - Reflective Diary

Today the young people from the club took us on the Berlin tour. We went to the Brandenburg gate, the memorial to the murdered Jews of Europe and the Berlin wall. I was very shocked that one man had so much power to kill so many people just because of who they are. I learnt that Germany has a lot of history but even though they are not proud of it, they show it, maybe because they are scared of happening again. It also made Germany a very closed country and they seem very scared and intimidated by other cultures.

Gina - Reflective Diary

Today the young people took us on a Berlin Tour. We went to the Brandenburg Gate, The memorial to the murdered Jews of Europe and the Berlin wall. it was an educational experience. I was very shocked that one person had so much power to kill so many people for no reason. To create so much hatred on one group of people as he spread his virus all over europe. To let the Jews believe that they were going to a better place when they was going to be killed. I learnt that Germany has alot of history that now dictates how they live and perceive their everyday living i.e. Allowing different cultures into their country, separation within their own city (Berlin Wall.)

Jasmine - Reflective Diary

I enjoyed sightseeing in Berlin, understanding the history, soaking in all the emotions. It made us realise that whatever we thought was bad that we are going through was nothing compared to what these millions of people suffered in the past. I think that really hit home for them in terms of their circumstances, the young people's circumstances, background and state of being, seeing the terror and the war made them think that everything is possible, to just keep on going. I think something good came out of a bad experience.

Wendel - Reflective Diary

Today's activity was about relationships and what the young people classed as a relationship. They walked in small groups of three to identify "what's a relationship?" What is a good relationship and what's a bad one. the five most important parts of a relationship or bad parts. I was happy they got stuck in so fast and had so much to write and say. Alot of the young people see sex as a very important. My next session will be on sex, S.T.I's and contraception.

Gina - Reflective Diary

Today's activity was about relationships and what the young people class as a relationship. They had to work as small groups to identify, what is a relationship? What is a good and bad relationship. Then what they thought were the 5 most important things in good and bad relationships. They also gave us a mini history session on the German history and had very strong views on it. I was quite surprised at some of the young people view as a relationship and why they picked them for the five important things in a relationship. I enjoyed the mini history lesson and what the young people thought about their country's history. I've learnt that the young people in Germany believe that sex is important in a relationship, regardless if it was enjoyable or not. I also learnt a bit more about the Germany history which as made me want to do my own research on it. My next session is going to be on sex, S.T.I's and contraception. On my last day in Germany I would like to do a presentation on one of the countries that my family is from and let the young people do a presentation on Germany.

Sergiy - Reflection

Jasmine - Reflection

Wendel - Reflective Diary

I ran two activities Mat challenged the young people in two very different areas. First we played Chinese whispers which they had to use their communication and memory skills also work as a team, second I ran a cookery lesson. I felt very confident and happy that the young people got involved in the activities and challenged each other. I learnt that young people like being challenged and pushed. Also, to be very patient as communication makes things much harder then they should be. Also, that the young people are used to not doing anything so running activities is a challenge itself. In the future I will plan carefully and always keep the young people in mind when planning.

Gina - Reflective Diary

I got the young people to participate in a game called Chinese Whispers. They had to use their communication and memory skills, they also had to work as a team. They worked very well as a team to make sure they got the same outcome as the picture they were copying. This made me feel happy because the young people really enjoyed the activities and got very competitive. I've learnt that I'm very patient when it comes to working with young people as they don't always want to participate or they may not be used to having activities set out for them. I've also learnt to be more prepared, to set up activities before hand and to find out if the facility has the materials that I may need for my activities.

Wendel - Reflective Diary

Today I got the young people involved in a geography test, to test their knowledge. The aim was to check their awareness and the incentive was whoever got all the answers correct would win a prize. I was very impressed that the young people actually liked it and got involved. I also felt like I challenged them to learn and test themselves. I learnt that some of the young people want to get involved with what I plan or set out but some don't. The language barrier comes up very often which makes it hard to communicate with the young people. I wish to learn more about Germany and to find out what they like and try to run activities around that.

Gina - Reflective Diary

Today we completed a word search based on sex and relationships, I gave it out to all of the young people and most of them participated. The aim was whoever finished first would win a prize. One of the young people started telling me about her feelings today but the language barrier came into play. I was happy that the young people gave it a try and worked together as the word search was in English. I still feel that they need to know more about sex and relationships because they are too open with their body contact. I learnt that some of he young people want to get involve with what I have planned or set out and some don't. The language barrier comes up very often which makes to hard to communication with all the young people, so it makes it hard to set out activities. I want to lean more German words and to be more pro-active and to do the activities that I've set up for the young people

Jasmine - Reflective Diary

I think today is where I really saw the young people change, they did their first workshop and they were worried about the language barrier and getting the kids of the joker project together and participating in the workshop. Watching all of them facilitating the workshop was amazing. How they communicated in many different ways, German, English, using body language, facial expressions, sounds and images was a complete success. This day was very memorable as they overcame everything, all their fears and all their worries in the space of two hours.

Wendel - Reflective Diary

It was my very first day in the German youth club called "Joker." it was very warm at the club as the staff and the young people were very nice towards me. Once they knew I was from London they wanted to know everything about me, and me about them. The language barrier wasn't really there as the young people managed to learn some English, and taught me German. I played pool, basket, bingo and sing star. I felt very happy and welcome, the young made me feel like I was some sort of hero, or their role model. I learnt that no matter where you are, young people are young people, curious, outgoing, interested, fun, creative and language is not an issue.



I also realised that the young people were very sexually active as they kissed and touched each other. I'm going to try to organise some sexual education sessions for the young people. I will also, get them more involved in different activities as they are too used to chilling, smoking and not doing anything else.

Gina - Reflective Diary

Today was my first time at the Joker Youth Club in Hellersdorfer Berlin. The staff and young people were very welcoming and helpful. The sessions that I got involve in were basketball, bingo in English and German, pool, ps3 and sing along. I feel very happy and welcomed. I like the fact that the young people made an effect to speak English to understand what I was trying to ask them and that they helped me speak German.



I've Learnt that the young people are at an age where they are experiencing relationships and sexuality (different sexualities.) Also they like to express their feelings towards each other. I would like to run an sexual health session regarding sex and relationships. Quiz's regarding translating English to German or German to English,

Lorna - Farewell

The final day of teaching has finally arrived and I must say the time has flown by! The students and Jasmine have done a fantastic job of grasping basic German in the short time they have had. They are all now able to introduce themselves in German, count to 100, order food and have knowledge of set phrases. Now that’s not bad for just 4 lessons! Although I have a sneaking suspicion it has something to do with the fabulous German teacher they have (moi)!
Not only have they all learnt some necessary German; they have been incredibly inquisitive of the German culture and what to expect when they get off the plane. One thing is for sure, Hellersdorf is a lot different to London! Gone are the bright lights and the hustle and bustle to be replaced by the calm serenity of East Berlin. So I waved them off, like a proud mother seeing her children fly the nest.
I shall eagerly await their return to see how they survived without me!