Harada Learns During Teaching Experience In Italy

Wolf Point High School English teacher Jaki Harada instructed a different body of students when she traveled abroad to Italy for a six-week experience through the EduCo program, which inspires students to learn English in the European country. The Wolf Point native said that the 50 teachers for the program were from many countries besides the United States including Canada, Ireland and New Zealand. She explained instruction took place in a “summer camp environment” that included recreation for students. “It was still three hours of teaching simple English lessons,” she said.

Harada taught 5-6 year olds for two weeks, 9-10 year olds for a week and 10-11 year olds for a week.

She feels the 9-10 year olds were her favorite age level. “It was my very first week teaching. They were so nice,” Harada said. “It was a good experience for my first week.”

Her biggest challenge came with the 5-6 year olds. “That’s why I teach high school,” Harada laughed. She explained that the youngest students had the lowest English level. “If something went wrong, they would talk to me in Italian.”

She admits spending time with younger students helped bring out her “inner child.” She said, “They reminded me to have fun.”

Prior to arriving in Italy, the only Italian words that Harada knew meant “hello” and “goodbye.”

Staying with host families, she learned different words. She said women and children in the households especially spoke English.

“You really got exposed to their culture,” Harada said. “They are so sweet. They wanted to show their culture and history.”

Finding meals to enjoy wasn’t difficult for her. She ate pizza or pasta every day. “But it was very good. It’s the best around.” She also made sure to have some gelato each day.

Harada said each of the camps featured at least one other teacher as well as tutors.

“It was a good starting opportunity for me,” Harada said. “Maybe one day I will teach in another country.”