17-11-2022
"Simple exchanges can break walls down between us, for when people come together and speak to one another and share a common experience, then their common humanity is revealed." – Barack Obama
A Student Exchange Programme is the one that not only unites two or more school groups but also develops friendship and fraternity among countries. Such programmes are an effective way to build bridges of understanding among students from different countries. This kind of exchange makes students citizens of the world.
Indian School Sohar got the opportunity to host 25 students and 7 teachers from Al-Asma Bint Al-Harith School and Hawa Bint Yazid School, as a part of Student Exchange Programme on 6th November 2022. The Principal, Ms. Sanchita Verma extended a warm welcome to the teachers and students of the guest schools.
Ms. Divya Johari, HOD English, introduced the guest schools and presented an overview of the various activities conducted for the students to improve their English language skills at school. She clearly delineated the aims and objectives of learning English.
An Ice-Breaking activity - Word Chain was conducted for the students to bring them closer and know each other better. The entire session schedule was well formulated with activities related to learning English Language. Ms. Shirley Joseph enriched the minds about how English Grammar is taught with relevant exercises to work on. Students and teachers were totally engrossed learning many new concepts in Grammar. Ms. Francisca Menezes demonstrated how to write letters of English Alphabet in cursive writing. There was an overwhelming response with attempts to write better with the right formation of letters. Ms. Prajitha Sunil explained the need for and importance of having good writing skills. She made the students familiar with the proper style and format of various writing tasks.
8th and 15th of November 2022 was another unique experience for students and teachers alike. A group of ten students and two teachers from Indian School Sohar visited Al-Asma Bint Al-Harith School and Hawa Bint Yazid School respectively.
It was a great experience at Al-Asma Bint Al-Harith School on 8th November 2022 where two teachers, Ms. Francisca Menezes and Ms. Prajitha Sunil and ten students of Indian School Sohar were given a warm welcome by the teachers and students. The programme began with students of Al-Asma Bint Al-Harith School presenting a Power Point on the history of their school. This was followed by a conversation activity by the students on the theme 'Adolescence'. Gowri Krishna, a student of Indian School Sohar was invited to deliver a speech on 'Importance of English Language'. The students of Hawa Bint Yazid School demonstrated through an activity, how suffixes a can be added to form new words. 'The roller coaster of life', a book written and published by one of the students of Al-Asma Bint Al-Harith School was released, and a copy of the book was given to all guest teachers. The day ended with a group discussion by the teachers on various language improvement strategies.
15th November 2022 saw another phase of the Student Exchange Programme when two teachers, Ms, Divya Johari and Ms. Shirley Joseph and ten students of Indian School Sohar were welcomed with smiles at Hawa Bint Yazid School.
The day began with a fun interaction where the students of Hawa Bint Yazid School took them on a journey through different countries, the first being India, in the form of a Power Point Presentation. The students spoke about the culture, traditional clothing, famous tourist destinations, etc of the chosen countries. Following this was a quiz on English language. The students of Hawa Bint Yazid School presented their unique talents which left everyone in awe. They were happy to see talented artists, musicians, journalists, etc in the making who were well nurtured by the school. At the Language Resource Centre, a special programme was arranged for the teachers. Applications like how to create QR Codes and other Learning Applications to teach English Lessons were demonstrated.
The group embarked on a joyful journey of learning and enriching English language skills. This Programme was a milestone in the personal and professional journey of knowing each other’s country and culture.
This cannot be concluded without mentioning the unstinted support and involvement of the Principal, Ms. Sanchita Verma for taking that extra step to enable teachers and students to acclimatize with a new culture and enriching experience. This relationship between India and Oman will grow in strength with each passing year. The Exchange Program concluded with a promise that the mutual respect and understanding fostered by the bonhomie of the current session would go on and the teachers and students continue to meet for the common good of all the students.
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