Throughout the month of July, International Theatre & Literacy Project teaching artists were once again in Tanzania, working with local primary and secondary school students to write, produce, and perform original plays. More than just great fun, these programs improve their English-language skills, develop their self-expression, and give them the confidence to be themselves.
And just as valuable as the great stories they created in Tanzania are the stories they brought back to us. Stories of primary school students performing Shakespeare, secondary school students writing their own plays and directing their own films, and the story of Tanzanian children exposed to a wider world
Meet the talented arts educators who gave their summer to the children of Tanzania.
Documentary filmmaker Robert Poole discovers that even his student assistant has a story to tell.
Hear our Teaching Artists' experiences in their own words and photographs.
New for 2009: The ITLP Professional Development Initiative
Sarah Bever and Matthew Thomas, two graduates of the International Educational Development program at Teachers College, Columbia University and former public school educators, worked for ITLP this year through its Professional Development Initiative, a program that aims to directly impact pedagogy and practice in Tanzanian classrooms.
In addition to discussing educational theories and instructional approaches with secondary school teachers, Sarah and Matthew spent time observing classrooms, conducting interviews with school teachers and staff, and encouraging reflective practice among teachers. They also facilitated a professional development workshop with the teachers and administrators at Nkoanrua secondary school that focused on inquiry-based, learned-centered, and participatory teaching and learning approaches.
The new Tanzanian national curriculum, adopted in 2005, requires teachers employ these learner-centered approaches, rather than those approaches that are more didactic and teacher-centered. Although many Tanzanian teachers have a wealth of experience in the classroom, few have adequate training in these relatively new methods. Through its theatre workshop programs, ITLP has cultivated long-standing relationships with Tanzanian teachers and educational administrators and, thus, is uniquely positioned to provide vital training in learner-centered and participatory methods.
The work of Sarah Bever and Matthew Thomas this past summer as part of the Professional Development Initiative laid the foundation for a future ITLP programming in the field of teacher training and development.
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"This kind of arts programming has the potential to revolutionize education in Tanzania."
Augustine Mahiga
Tanzanian Ambassador to the United Nations & ITLP Board Member
"After my parents saw me in the play they were impressed with my English and we discussed things and even changed some of our work roles at home. We began to ask, 'May I help you with your burden?' - just the way we did in the play."
Elirehema
student in 2005 workshop
"Tanzania is in dire need of educated young people who will be future leaders, doctors and teachers. English is the language of commerce in so much of the world - especially Africa - and mastering it will allow this generation to work their way out of poverty and into productive careers and lives."
Deborah Kelly
Community Service Advocate in Tanzania