Visiting Schoolsand ESL institutions in India

We have visited three elementary schools in India and a few ESL private schools. The teachers here seem to be very relaxed about who is visiting their campus. The majority of teachers as well the principals have been extremely willing to help us and give us information about their students and the programs. In Madikery, we visited a private school that has a thousand students starting from preschool to high school. Both my husband I had the opportunity to talk to the students about the American culture, and encourage them to ask questions. But the students didn't seem to want to ask questions. We asked the teachers if we could observe them when teaching English, but instead they let us talk to the students. I asked some of the students if they are allowed to ask questions, but they didn't really answer my question. I got the impression that the classes are mainly teacher directed activities. This is my experience with the older students. On the other hand, I was very happy to see that the three and four years old children in the preschool that belong to the high school were enjoying a musical presentation that the older students were performing. I thought that it was really great that younger students benefit from the older students. The music teacher let me sing a song in English with children and I was amazed that even though the children didn't know me that well they followed the directions and were happy to sing with me. It appears to me that the younger children have high selfsteem and were sure about themselves. I noticed that they didn't have that many manipulatives, but they did have a lot of books.

I paid attention to a couple of students who were standing by the main entrance with their hands in the back. They were being punished, but I do not know the reasons. We left the school and the students were still standing by the door, I felt really sad. But I know that's the way I used be punished in the old days in my elementary school.

I have observed often times in the parks or historical sites students from different ages behaving excelent and listening to the teachers directions. And all the time wearing uniforms, and I am happy and admire the number of female participation in the schools.