Help children learn English at our small, non-profit, democratic school in Weißwasser, Germany

Details

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  Description

  Our free, alternative school, is a small, independently operated and non-profit primary and secondary school, in which children from year 1 to 10 can learn self-determinedly. The school was opened 2019 and at the moment 21 children (age 6 to 11) are attending. We are a non-profit project.
  We presume that children have a thirst for knowledge and will get active on their own. That‘s why in our school they can decide on their individual learning content everyday new and follow their own rhythm. The school offers them diverse places of learning, e.g. a school kitchen, a school garden, a music room, a workspace and the nearby forest. The teachers also offer a broad range of practical, everyday-lifelike activities. The children are free to participate in these - or not. In their everyday practices they learn all basic skills like reading, writing and calculating, but also a lot of personal competences like autonomy, cooperativeness, conflict resolution and taking responsibility.
  We aim to create an atmosphere without fear, so the children are encouraged to discover and develop their individual strenghts. We don‘t go with marks, tests or punishments. Instead the children can make their own choices and learn by the consequences of their behavior.
  In this way the teachers and the children can develop an empathic, close and lively cooperation. To promote the children teaching each other and also acquiring social skills, learning in our school is year-overlapping.
  In the daily morning plenum the children can say what they wish to do and plan together with the teachers the rough daily schedule. The plenum is also the place to determine rules for a respectful working together. We believe that learning the democratic processes of listening to each other, solving conflicts together and finding viable solutions are extremly important skills for living in, creating and developing democracy.
  Another key part of our school concept is Education for Sustainable Development (ESD): for example we cook only with organic ingrediences, we use as many recycled materials as possible, we use bicycle-rickshaws for trips, …

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Teaching

  Babysitting and creative play
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  You will have the possibility to understand how a democratic school works, and you can experience new ways of teaching and learning. You will also have the possibility to experience practices of sustainable solutions in everyday school life - from cooking to getting materials for teaching.
  The landscape of our region Lusatia is adapted to lignite mining. We can take you for a trip to the mining area. There you can see the entire effects for humans and environment and we explain the process behind it.

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  We are looking for native English speakers who would like to experience our everyday school life and stay for at least one month. You will spend the schoolday with the children, support the teachers and you are welcome to make learning offers to the children based on your interests and skills. Normally you won‘t be on your own with the children, but you should be able to stay with them for different activities. Besides that, you should be aware that you act as a (linguistic) example for the children.
  
  What do we wish from you?
  - Next to English you understand and speak German.
  - You are eager to accompany the children in their learning process without controling them. You are able to trust in the children and their ability to make their own decisions.
  - You can reflect on your emotions and your behaviour and you are open to criticism.
  - Democratic decision making processes are important to you as well as being on equal terms with children and adults.
  - You see mistakes as a necessary part of the learning process which leads to further insight.
  - You are open for environmentally aware behaviour in the daily routine.
  - You are humorous and relaxed.
  - You show empathy and tolerance when dealing with children and strive to see the world through their eyes.
  
  You need an International Child Protection Certificate to help at our school. You might get it in our local administration or at the administration of your home district.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  German: Fluent
  English: Fluent

  This host offers a language exchange
  This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
  You can contact them directly for more information.
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  Accommodation

  You will be part of our tiny community which lives partially in a house in town and partially in a sustainable living project in a village. Our community is basically running the school together with the help of other people.
  Especially in the winter months you will stay with us in the house, not far from the school. This place is a shared flat of seven persons from age 7 to 80 and one cat. In there you will have your own room.
  In summer you will stay with us 20km away from school in a sustainable living project. You will sleep there in a little trailer without heating/stove.
  Generally we prepare and have meals together three times a day. The meals are mostly vegetarian, frequently vegan, rarely with meat or fish.

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  What else ...

  There are loads of woods and lakes in this area and also a lot of amazing bicycle routes. You can do trips with the „Velotaxis“ (bicycle-rickshaws) or our normal bikes.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Space for parking camper vans

  This host can provide space for campervans.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  One

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