English Blasters Speak

Parents

Sarah  (British, bilingual - English, Japanese)

I like the fact that it is not just the children who learn. I come away from a class
with a "Well, I hadn't known that!" type of feeling. English Blast opens up our
eyes to so much more, and the fact that there are different nationalities
involved allows us to open our eyes from different points of view, too. Everyone
encourages each other which enables us to grow, instead of using only criticism
which would lead us to want to give up.

I don't think there is anything in particular that I do not like about the group. It
fulfills what we as a family bringing up bilingual children need at this moment in
time.

In English Blast, the laughs that we have had are so special:  the parties when
our spouses have participated in our groups, trying to smile with a plate of
chicken feet in front of me as part of our African class, haggling my food wares
at an Egyptian market, seeing the stars at Maioka Park.

I don't think that one should have one set idea about education and method.
Both my children are so different, and what worked for one does not work for
the other. Being a part of English Blast has given me the encouragement to
continue with that belief. It has also helped me see other methods that I perhaps
would not have thought of myself. I do have to keep convincing myself that the
way I teach is okay. It is hard not to compare yourself with other moms who
have teaching experience. But everyone's kind words of encouragement help,
and as we teach the topics we are interested in, that helps in finding interesting
ways to teach.

I think parent participation is one of the major reasons our group has been so
successful. Nobody views this group as a "drop-off" group, and new members
are made clearly aware that English Blast requires parent participation. It
should continue like this, too.

I love my role as a student in EB, as it has been so beneficial to me, as well as
the children. I have learned so much, and it encourages the children when we as
parents also ask questions during the classes.

I think working together on topic projects and other homework is the perfect
way to create communication with my girls. With their other Japanese school
homework, I just have to leave them on their own because I am not always sure
what the teacher wants them to do. For English Blast we enjoy sitting in front of
the PC getting information, or reading books connected to the subject we are
learning at that moment.

ENGLISH BLAST!