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Special Report |
LAST UPDATE April 25, 2008
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| April 7, 2008 |
GET: A Learning Experience Like No Other |
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| The 60th voyage GET teaching team after a fun-filled day of language activities during the GET Olympics |
The Global English/Español Training (GET) onboard language programme offers Peace Boat participants a truly unique learning experience. It aims to train people to utilize global English to further their understanding of different cultures and to break down cultural barriers in the interest of spreading peace. In a rapidly globalizing world, English has evolved into the definitive “global language.” However, GET believes that this should not only benefit native speakers, but empower people from all around the world to use this communication tool to build a better, more peaceful and sustainable society. Aligned with the GET philosophy, the eleven English and two Spanish teachers on the 60th voyage come from a diverse mix of backgrounds and cultures, adding to the international presence onboard the ship. Equal parts educator, cultural ambassador, and Peace Boat participant, GET teachers play a very special role in adding to the overall atmosphere of each voyage. |
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| Suhail Arastu facilitates a lively discussion with guest educator Ricardo Navarro in an intensive English class |
So what makes studying with GET unlike any other learning experience? As Suhail Arastu explains, “It's an excellent opportunity to experience global English at its core. By interacting with non-native English speakers in different ports, or with the international crew and numerous multicultural guests onboard, it’s an ideal language-learning environment. The proximity to teachers and the frequency of contact to English speakers give students the potential to use what they’ve learned instantly and daily. Global English is a non-standardized communication tool, so our focus is on communication rather than vocabulary or grammatical correctness.” The GET methodology revolves around the idea that communication can happen without fluency in a language. Students get firsthand exposure to a wide variety of English from around the world, and can develop the necessary confidence to use this skill effectively. |
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| GET Teacher Kio Lance and Communication Coordinator Ayumu Shimada co-teach an open Spanish class |
GET student Yoshihiko Yamada explains how studying onboard is different from anything he has previously experienced. “This is my second voyage with Peace Boat, the first being the 54th. I wasn't a student on my first voyage and I distinctly remember feeling very envious of those involved with GET. Although I was lucky enough to get a taste of the programme through the various events and open classes, I still felt like I was missing something special. I wanted to make friends with the teachers and speak as much English as I could, so this was my main motivation for joining this voyage. I feel that the GET teachers take really good care of their students. Teachers and students are constantly interacting socially, through activities like going out in ports, participating in onboard events and having dinner together. Students have the chance to develop strong relationships with their teacher, as well as other students. We are like one big family, and the experience feels like an extended home stay.” |
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Students peruse books at the GET Book Project, where participants can pay a small fee to personalize donated children’s books with a message and re-donate them to schools and youth organizations in ports around the world |
The GET programme organizes a wide assortment of activities that become a mainstay of life onboard. This includes the various events planned on every voyage like the GET Olympics, GET student projects, All English/Español day and the speech contest. In addition, GET organizes in-port challenge programs that allow students to apply what they’ve learned in their intensive classes to real life situations through cultural exchanges and home stays. However, other highlights of each voyage include the extracurricular events put together by the teaching team. Each event is an individual reflection of the interests and passions of each teacher. They tend to be as random and unique as the teaching team itself, and on the 60th voyage included events and topics as diverse as backpacking in Ethiopia and an Indian culture night. |
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| Students and teachers mingle and play language games at the GET booth during the Summer Festival |
With each voyage, the different mix of individuals on the teaching team ensures that GET continues to evolve into a new, improved and more exciting programme that provides the students and teachers involved with an invaluable experience while working toward increasing successful communication between people of different cultural backgrounds.
Article and photographs contributed by 60th voyage GET teacher Thien Huynh |
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