When I started teaching English at my rural school in Lesotho, southern Africa, I was shocked by the state of the children’s clothing and shoes. Many had holes in their sweaters, wore shoes with their toes poking out, and some children could not afford socks or underwear. 60% of the children in my school are either orphans or Continue Reading
Archives for March 2016
Moshoeshoe Day Celebrations: A Big Event in Lesotho
March 11th, was Moshoeshoe Day, pronounced (Moshway-shway) in Lesotho. What is it? It’s the day the Basotho commemorate the death of the country’s founder. All schools, including my small, Catholic school start preparing for this day, when school opens on January 25th, after the summer holidays—yes, we’re in the southern hemisphere here in Continue Reading
The Challenges of Teaching English in a Rural School in Lesotho
I knew it would be challenging to teach English to the Basotho children in my rural school in Lesotho, but I never expected the level to be this low. In Lesotho, all subjects (except for Sesotho, of course) are supposed to be taught in English, but most of the teachers are afraid of speaking English (so I was told) and so they revert to their Continue Reading
