5/4/2009 - AFS instructor enjoys learning while she teaches
By PAUL SCHARF for the Daily Citizen
FALL RIVER - Gonca Canyurt (pronounced like Gonja Jongyert), of Istanbul, Turkey, has been visiting the Fall River School District since January, spending this semester as an American Field Service math teacher.
Canyurt is working with students in grades six and above, teaching math and geometry, although she must have another teacher with her in the classroom. That teacher often lets her teach and observes the class. When she returns to Turkey, Canyurt hopes to teach in a private secondary or high school. (Secondary school there covers grades six to eight).
Canyurt herself attended an English-speaking secondary school and a private high school where students spoke both English and Turkish. She graduated from high school in 2000 and went on to the Ankara University – Ankara being the capitol city of Turkey – where she studied math. Canyurt then went on to another university where she earned the equivalent of a master’s degree in the formation of education. She has been teaching since 2004.
“It’s different from here,” Canyurt said of Turkey.
While the entire nation speaks Turkish, students in Turkish private schools have to learn either English, French or German in addition to their native tongue.
Canyurt said that U.S. public schools are more comparable to private schools in Turkey, which she said are better than “some public schools” there.
Canyurt, who speaks Turkish and English, tutors students outside of school in Turkey to prepare them for required exams.
This extended stay marks her first trip to the United States, although she previously visited Germany and Bulgaria.
In coming to the United States, Canyurt said that she found New York City to be similar to Istanbul.
“Fall River is the United States for me,” she said.
When asked about the Turkish and American educational systems, Canyurt answered: “It’s really different from here. You are relaxed, comfortable. They use a lot of technological things.”
In fact, technology is one of Canyurt’s primary interests while she he is here in the United States. She said that she is interested in “newer stategies for learning.”
The Fall River School bought some smart boards this year, and Canyurt is especially enjoying working with them.
“I’m learning how to use that,” she said. “I want to use that in my country.”
Canyurt is proficient on her laptop, and e-mails lots of pictures home.
She believes that her time in the United States is very valuable to her teaching career.
“It’s about experience,” Canyurt said. “It’s about improving my skills. When I come back to Turkey I want to use what I learned. My goal is observing everything, improving my skills myself and learning what I can learn.”
She has also had fun teaching her students here some Turkish words.
“I’m learning a lot of things and I’m teaching a lot of things about my culture,” she stated. “It’s my goal to observe and teach and I want to contribute.”
Canyurt has seen snow in snow in Turkey before, but she is from a part of that country which is generally warmer than the weather she saw when she first arrived here in January.
She has also learned much about life in America.
“I learned that you like sports,” she said. “You are relaxed. You have rules, but we are really strict.”
Sheldon and Jeana Benzine are hosting Canyurt during this semester. They have two children in the Fall River School – Aaron, a freshman, and Anna, a seventh grader – so Canyurt attends lots of school events with the family.
“They are really, really nice people,” she said. “I feel I am lucky to live with them.” Canyurt has enjoyed sharing some Turkish food with her host family.
The American Turkish Society in New York sponsored Canyurt’s trip to the United States, covering all of her costs for the semester.
Canyurt wishes to thank both AFS and ATS for helping her get to the United States and Fall River.
She also appreciates her father, mother and older sister back in Turkey.
“I want to thank them,” she said. “I am glad to be here. They sent me to high school to learn English. They gave me a chance to come to the United States. I want to thank them for giving me this educational chance.”
Canyurt will be in Fall River until next month, and has been applying for jobs back in Turkey in preparation for her return home.
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