Bringing Theory to Practice
Nestled in the Khomasdal suburb lies M.H. Greeff Primary School, a stone’s throw away from the University of Namibia (UNAM) Khomasdal Campus. This geographical closeness, combined with an intrinsic desire to nurture educational collaborations, has recently paved the way for a dynamic partnership.
Guided by their lecturer, Ms Jacolynn van Wyk, the English Language Education students from UNAM have had multiple invaluable opportunities. They have not only observed classroom settings at M.H. Greeff but have also gained insights from the seasoned teachers of the primary school through guest lectures.
First-year students from the Campus took a deep dive into the world of pre-schoolers, observing the intricate dance between teachers and young learners. Ms van Wyk summarised the experience, saying, “The core purpose of this visit was to witness teacher-learner dynamics and understand the daily rhythms of a pre-school classroom.”
The second-year students, devoted to honing listening and speaking skills, led students to a rather intriguing phonics class at M.H. Greeff. The teachers’ holistic approach to phonics captivated the UNAM students, providing them with a chance to not only observe but also to engage in enriching dialogues about this instructional method.
A group of third-year students got creative, crafting story sacks to dazzle Grade 1 learners. This initiative was not merely about teaching but also about learning and refining their own methodologies. The interactive sessions not only enriched the primary school students but also offered invaluable feedback to the UNAM aspirants.
The climax of this collaboration saw third and fourth-year students gaining wisdom on classroom management from the stalwarts of M.H. Greeff Primary School, Ms Elsandra Skrywer and Ms Eva-Ndatitangi Dumeni, and the USA English Fellow, Ms Christine Masolo. In Ms van Wyk’s words, “It was intriguing to watch our students, in essence, becoming the pupils, absorbing knowledge from experienced teachers.”
Mr George Kandetu, the Principal of M.H. Greeff, along with Ms. Skrywer, its Head of Department, deserves a special mention for fostering an open-door policy. This accessibility has been paramount for the UNAM student-teachers, allowing them continuous exposure to real-world classroom scenarios.
The Early Childhood Education and Care Department at UNAM sees this symbiotic relationship as a cornerstone of their teaching philosophy, aiming to perpetuate these hands-on experiences for their students. At heart, this collaboration stands as a testament to the power of partnership, bridging the gap between academic theories and their practical applications.
