Venezuelans want to break down all those barriers ... "to be who I want to be, in my own homeland!”
www.vheadline.com Posted: Thursday, March 13, 2003 By: Thais J. Gangoo
VHeadline.com lifestyle correspondent Thais J. Gangoo writes: Years ago, finding someone who spoke English in Venezuela was not an easy job. All over the country, big companies tried to find professionals with high-standard capabilities and if they spoke English that was the key to open the door to a bright future.
Years have passed, and people have become more aware of the fact that English stopped being a key to open a door and has begun to be the language in which you write your resume. No English capacity, no resume … no to a good job!
Being an English teacher has given me the opportunity of interacting with people from all ages and different social classes. They all have a dream … learn English. I must admit that I never thought I would ever be a teacher, but I decided to give it a try and I found that it is one of my vocations.
The beginning…
When I first came into a classroom full of people, I believe I was more scared than the students. It’s funny, but it is true. However, after a while I realized that I was the teacher and they trusted me ... they put their hope in me to learn not only a language but a culture.
I've found that a great ice-breaker is asking why they want to learn English ... and I'm often amazed by the different answers I get.
Most of them do it because they need it for their jobs ... or their university classes. Others do it for fun! Oh, well ... children study English because most of the time their parents tell them to do so, but there are still a few who just want to learn because they like the language.
Of course, we can’t forget those who study English because their main goal is to go and live overseas. There are all kind of reasons for people to go into a classroom and be immersed into a new language.
The little ones…
Because the story has always two sides, I believe it’s fair to show them both, and try to come to a conclusion.
Sometimes, when a teacher sees a group of students for the first time, there are some expectations. Although the teacher knows that when students want to learn a language they're usually excited about it ... even when they're in the classroom only because their parents sent them.
In the case of children, it is amazing how they respond in a very positive way when they decide go learn English and ask mom and dad to take them. They learn so much in a very short period of time ... not only that, they're willing to do homework and participate more and more each day in a very active way in class. But… Unfortunately, many times the children are pushed by the parents ... told that they must learn English because it's important.
How would they know why it’s important if we don’t explain that to them?
It’s even worse when parents send the children to so many activities in the afternoon and during the weekends only with the idea of taking them away from their computer games ... I'm pretty sure many of our VHeadline.com readers feel familiar with this situation one way or another ... no matter that we're talking about English or any other subject.
Do our children really need to be taken away from what they like (in this case computers)?
...I truly believe that “communication” is the key word in a parent-child relationship.
Why then don’t we sit down and talk about their future and it’s needs ... instead of just giving them orders they won’t accept.
Computers are part of our future as much as knowing different languages.
It’s just a matter of establishing priorities in our lives ... our children can have enough time to do anything they want ... including some entertainment from time to time.
“Communication”…. I believe it is a word that implies more than just talking.
A need for many…
After a few years, people have become more aware of their needs ... they think about their future and their children too; though sometimes they believe it’s too late for them to go back into a classroom.
When they finally decide, they know they'll face a sometimes uncomfortable reality… they will have to deal with teachers, homework ... and even classmates they might not like.
From personal experience, I must admit that my favorite part, when I first started teaching, was when I came into the classroom and the students looked at me and ask how old I was ... I was 21 when I first taught class and I knew I was going to love my career as an English teacher.
Nowadays, the question is asked a few days after the first day of classes and it causes a different reaction ... people look at teachers and they see an authority no matter how old the teacher is.
However, for those VHeadline.com readers who don’t know, I must tell you that here in Venezuela some people still see teachers and believe they should be older than the students.
Is Venezuela the land of equal opportunities for all now?
Usually, I ask my students why they decided to study English ... and, as I said before, their answers were a lot different a few months ago, but now the common answer is: “Teacher, I need to learn because I would like to leave and find a job in another country.” That’s the main reason for many.
Even though, I know how they feel, I truly believe it is very sad to see how people see their future built far away from their homeland ... Venezuela.
Why can’t we feel the freedom of doing what we like and enjoy it?
Why do we feel like we must do things we don’t want, to finally feel we got the happiness we have always wanted for us and for our children?
Learning English is only one of those restrictions we have now to find all the things we have always wanted. A good job, a solid ground for our kids to live … a brighter future after all.
No matter what language we speak, Venezuelans do want to break down all those barriers and be able to say the words: “I am who I want to be, in my own homeland!”