High Impact Teaching and Learning in Gandoca, Costa Rica
During spring break 2025, the Department of World Languages and Cultures’ TESOL section (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) together with GIVEVolunteers.org, and local community leaders, collaborated to provide a high-impact teaching and learning experience for local K-6 and high school students as well as adults. WLC MA in TESOL candidates spent several months creating personalized, multi-tiered curriculum for each age-level course and conducted teacher training for GIVE Volunteers as well. NC State faculty, students and GIVE Volunteers benefited greatly from the warm welcome, rich local culture and opportunity to work with such a wonderful community.
The impact of the Teaching English Abroad: Gandoca experience was made clear to me when Ivette (the matriarch of the community) shared, with great gratitude to us, that while other organizations have come to teach English to the children, NC State was the first to create a curriculum specifically focused on the needs of the adults in the community and to initiate a lasting relationship to help support and bolster their personal and economic goals. (Jennifer Despain, WLC TESOL Coordinator and faculty lead in Gandoca)
The impact of teaching English in Gandoca was clear even in just four days. We could see real progress in the people we worked with, not only in their language skills but also in their enthusiasm for learning. One of the most rewarding moments was hearing the youngest students singing the songs they had learned in class outside of school. It was a powerful reminder of the effort they put into learning with us and filled me with both pride for our work and deep appreciation for their dedication. (Daniel Martinez Ayala, MA TESOL Graduate Student)
The impact of teaching English in Gandoca really opened my eyes to how important it is to appreciate each student’s identities. This mindset helped me and my colleagues build strong connections with our students, even though our time together was short. By forming real relationships with each of them, we were able to create a learning environment that was both welcoming and exciting. This positive atmosphere came from our real and strong desire to connect with the community and show them how valued and important they are. These connections were key in making a space where the kids were eager to learn, felt respected and understood. This experience showed us how valuable personal interaction is in education, transforming teaching into a meaningful exchange that benefits both teachers and students. (Raquel Olvera Díaz, MA TESOL Graduate Student)
