3/24/2008 - Brazilian Teacher Exchanges Ideas in Minnesota
MARSHALL — On Monday morning in the media center at Marshall High School, Rodrigo Oliveira was helping a group of English Language Learners learn language skills through a crossword spelling game.
The students laughed as they tried to figure out words to keep the puzzle going.
by Cindy Votruba
Marshall Independent
Oliveira, a Brazilian native, is a foreign exchange teacher at Marshall High School through the American Field Service (AFS) program. He started at MHS in January and will be in Marshall until June.
In Brazil, Oliveira teaches at a language school, the Fisk School. The Fisk School is a franchising system created by Richard Hugh Fisk, he said, and there are schools all over the world, such as the United States, Argentina and Japan.
“It’s pretty different from high school — there, we try to develop the communicative competence of the student,” Oliveira said.
Oliveira has been a teacher for more than five years. He said that the Fisk School is not only for teen-agers, but for students interested in learning English; professionals like doctors and lawyers.
Oliveira said this is the first time he’s been in the United States.
At Marshall High School, Oliveira helps the English Language Learners students with teacher Tammy Bukowski and in Alison Marshall’s pre-algebra class.
“I love the school, it’s really a great school,” Oliveira said.
Oliveira is from Martins, and teaches in Mossoro and Pau Dos Ferros. He said he lives near the equator.
“It’s sun all the time, and I live on the coast,” Oliveira said. “I’m used to going on the beaches.”
Oliveira said he knew to expect cold weather when he learned he was going to the northern part of the United States.
“The snow is not bad, the wind is,” Oliveira said.
Oliveira enjoys working with the ELL students, saying it’s an experience in a way.
“I get to know people from other parts of the world,” Oliveira said. “We share a little bit about culture.”
Drawing on his experiences at Fisk, Oliveira helps the ELL students with language skills.
“That’s how I think I can help,” Oliveira said.
Bukowski said Oliveira seems to have blended right in at MHS, probably because of his great people skills and perceptiveness.
“He is very interested in American public schools, and we’ve had several conversations about the contrast and comparisons between the school he teaches in and Marshall Senior High,” Bukowski said. “He is very good with the students; he has great ‘teachese’ in addition to a genuine concern for students and reliancy. I am very appreciative that he is involved in our program.”
“His pleasant demeanor and attitude towards learning serves as a model for the students,” added Marshall.
In Marshall’s classroom, Oliveira helps the students with math problems.
“I try to clarify the doubts they have,” Oliveira said.
Marshall said Oliveira is an asset to the mathematics classroom.
“He is able to circulate and help students with the mathematical concepts and the language,” Marshall said.
After school on Mondays and Wednesdays, Oliveira serves as a tutor.
“He is able to connect with students after school for extra help and this is also a great asset,” Marshall said.
He also still volunteers at the Adult Basic Education program once a week.
And Oliveira is looking at other volunteering opportunities, such as the hospital and nursing home.
“I knew I had some possibilities of volunteering in Marshall,” Oliveira said. “It’s a way to give back what the city is giving to me. I say I feel useful for the community. And it helps me to get the language.”
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