As part of my English teaching role as a volunteer for Up Close Bolivia
I have recently organised some outdoor classes in the local zoo for my students.
Mallasa zoo or "Zoo Municipal Vesty Pakos" covers 22.4 hectares, is dedicated to the conservation of wildlife,
and has approximately 500 individuals of 78 species of mammals, birds, reptiles
and fish. Most of the animals are representative of the major economic regions of
Bolivia as well as elsewhere in the world. Animals in the zoo include jaguars,
lions, pumas, spectacled bears, condors, llamas, deer, monkeys, snakes and
armadillos.
The idea of the outdoor class is for the English students to benefit
from a stimulating environment and to put their new English vocabulary and translating
skills to the test. The challenge was for the students to observe the animals
and translate the zoo information signs in the zoo from Spanish into English. I
asked them to translate information for each animal in to appropriate categories
e.g. habitat, diet, location, habits etc.
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| An example of an information sign in the zoo for the Andean Fox |
Once they had completed this for a few animals (which was
definitely a challenge given the specialised vocabulary involved) each student then
had to present their animal profile back to the group which they did very well.
We had 11 students in total for the first class, which I was very pleased about,
even if they did turn up 45 minutes late! For the second class we had 5
students to a ratio of 3 teachers; an invaluable experience for all involved!
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| English students with an Ocelot in the background! |
The aim is for our English students to perfect their knowledge of
the zoo animals in English, practise speaking about their animals and then give
a tour of the zoo to English tourists. I am hoping that this will be a good
challenge for the students, in order to apply their knowledge of English to a
practical situation, to improve their confidence in speaking English as well as
to promote local tourism and the practical uses of learning English in the
community.
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| Teachers and students during the outdoor class |
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