Internships in VVOBprogrammes

2017

Title:Practical application of corner work in early childhood education and ECE teacher training - Kitwe, Zambia

1. Location
Country / Zambia
Town / Kitwe
Partner / Institute / Kitwe College of Education
Department / Early Childhood Education
2. Period
Preferably minimum of three months - flexible; depending on requirements of the Belgian University-College.
Teaching will not be possible in the full months of April, August and December (school holidays).
3. Terms of Reference
Objectives of the Traineeship / Support the practical application of corner work in early childhood education in Zambia by:
- student teachers, in collaboration with college lecturers (50%).
- pre-school teachers in the practice ECE class at the college(possibly also in a Community School)(50%).
Expected Results / Background:
  • Working from the context and the strengths already present at the college and in the practice school, the studenthas shared experiences and skills with ECE student teachers and lecturers of the college and ECE teachers of the practice class regarding corner work.
  • Ideas for strengthening corner work are shared, tried out and demonstrated in the practice school with involvement of ECE teachers, student teachers and (where possible) lecturers.
  • Particular attention is given to:
  • Further strengthening the experiential, exploratory and playful nature of learning in corners (stimulating self-motivation and involvement of children);
  • Enhancing the interaction between teacher and children and between the children during cornerwork.
  • Thepractical application of strategies to:
  • Enhance the structure offered to children in corner work (pictograms, symbol charts,…)
  • Develop independence, decision making and reflection by children
  • Storage and clean-up strategies related to corner work.
  • Successful practical applications in corner work are documented and shared with

Planned activities and time frame / Activity / M1 / M2 / M3
Orientation to college learning environment, ECE curriculum/ syllabus / v
Lesson observations of ECE college lecturers and of the ECE teacher at the practice school. / v
Develop, try out, fine tuneideas to enhance the experiential, exploratory and playful nature of learning corners / v / v / v
Develop, try out, fine tune ideas to enhance the interaction between teacher and children and between the children during corner work. / v / v / v
Develop, try out, fine tune ideas to enhance the structure offered to the children in corner work (pictograms, symbol charts,…) / v / v / v
Develop, try out, fine tune ideas to develop independence, decision making and reflection in children through corner work. / v / v / v
Develop, try out, fine tune ideas for storage and clean-up strategies related to corner work. / v / v / v
Develop an awareness raising activity on equity (to implement after return to Flanders) / v / v
Organise an exhibition/display of successful practical applications at the college demonstration school (for college and VVOB) / v
Document successful practical application e.g. through pictures and guides / V
Equity component of internship / •The outcome of this internship (guides, handouts, activity sheets) for teachers will be provided to vulnerable teachers from community school. It will help them to enhance their teaching methods, using low-cost teaching and learning materials.
•The Flemish interns will help the Zambian teachers to focus on providing equal opportunities for girls and boys and also broaden their potential to make choices in less gender-stereotypical ways in everyday preschool practices.
•The interns will develop an awareness raising activity on equity (to implement after return to Flanders)
•Flemish students will share experiences and skills with ECE student teachers and lecturers of the college. They will organise an exhibition/display of successful practical applications for their Zambian peers and for the college lecturers.
•Flemish interns will be housed at the college together with Zambian students. This will enhance their understanding of a being a student in the South. By experiencing the daily life challenges the interns will develop cross-cultural awareness.
4. Support
Working environment / Kitwe College of Education is one of 6 colleges in Zambia who offer a Diploma course in early childhood education (ECE). The first students were enrolled in 2013. The college has a demonstration school on the college premises. Here, ECE students can get practical experience in an ECE class before going on teaching practice.
Position in the program/institution / Support to the ECE teacher training programme
Name Supervisor / ECE Coordinator at Kitwe College of Education together with Hanne Huysmans, VVOB Ndola.
5. Minimum requirements
Expertise /
  • Well versed in the practical realisation of quality early childhood education
  • Expertise and particular interest in practical application of corner work.
  • Able to work with student teachers of varying age.
  • Able to work independently.

Profile /
  • Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
  • Bachelor of Pre-school Education

Required / Preferred preparation / -Practice speaking English
-Attend preparation sessions organised by VVOB
-Study the challenges of early childhood education in developing countries (spec. Zambia)
-Collect resources regarding practical application of corner work.
Duo-attachment possible? / Only duo-attachment accepted
Preference to assign the attachment to a student of a specific college (in case of partnership with a Flemish college)
6. Working conditions
Workload / 5 days/week (to be discussed with the Flemish partner institution)
Leave days / days off / Public holidays and weekends. Rest depending on required number of working days by Flemish institution
Required language skills / English
Transport / Students will be based at the teacher training college in Kitwe. Kitwe is a five/six hour drive from Lusaka and one hour from Ndola.
Possibilities accomodation / Basic accommodation is likely to be provided at the college.
Estimated general costs / € 20 per day for meals
7. Comments

Zambia Internship Kitwe College of Education 20161/3