[Voluntary Organisation] FESSers: Teach to Learn and Learn to Teach

Free English Sunday School (FESS), which is affiliated to GDUFS’s Youth League Committee, is a voluntary organisation founded in 2003. With 13 years’ development, it has established teaching bases both in Guangzhou and Zhongshan, from one to nine (They are: Jingxi, Huangshi, Nonglin, Laogan, Huijiang, Tonghe, Yongping, Children’s Park, Zhongshan Bo’ai School). From its humble beginnings, it has grown to become a more mature voluntary organisation.

“Before I joined FESS, I was a tutor for senior high school students. And I really like English,” said GE Mengyuan, Principal of FESS. “I used to teach my grandmothers how to use WeChat, through which I learned a lot and was aware that we youngsters should help the old broaden their horizons. Besides, I do love the feeling of teaching. When you see them enlightened immediately after you help explain something confusing, you will be filled with a great sense of achievement.”

Children taking class actively

When asked about unforgettable experiences, GE mentioned an old lady in Jingxi, one of FESS’s teaching bases. She joined began to study 13 years ago when FESS was first built. From then on, she never stops learning. She takes notes in and after classes, downloads learning APPs and teaches herself New Concept English (a series of famous English teaching textbooks). Besides, sometimes she even asks you questions beyond textbooks, which motivates you to know more and be well prepared before entering the classroom. “I believe that keeping learning makes one stay young, and this can be seen when the old lady vigorously stands in front of you,” she said.

Smiles on children’s faces in class

LIANG Enen, the leader of Huangshi Base, thought highly of FESS, regarding it as an organisation taking practical actions. “Through voluntary teaching, people at Huangshi Community Centre have learned informative English skills and enhanced their comprehensive qualities. We teachers also learn how to communicate with others and prepare teaching plans, finally accomplishing our dream of public service,” she said. “Therefore, it is a mutual-aid process; everyone feels warm and love here.” She also recalled a moving experience when voluntary workers there taught them to prepare delicious dessert on Christmas Day, which produced a family-like atmosphere.

YU Kai, a student majoring in Spanish from Hangzhou, told us he first joined this organisation because he wanted to improve his English and to know more about Guangzhou, and he wanted to gain some experience in teaching. After joining the group, he said everything is better than he thought; the students are very hard working and kind. In each class, he is so happy teaching them.

However, apart from gains, there are also challenges. FESSers need to pace their teaching to students’ English levels, which vary a lot. Additionally, they need to take time out from school work and decide who’ll go teaching for the next week or month. But FESSers are outstanding volunteers and realise their special self-value. What’s more, after becoming the principal of FESS six months ago, GE has more responsibilities on her shoulders and many problems to deal with. Compared to the time when she was a teacher of FESS, she is now looking at the bigger picture. She needs to pay attention to the teaching progress of each group, gather money to keep the organisation running, and coordinate the different groups to work together.

The old people taking the class

Volunteer teaching is a meaningful thing. And today, FESSers showed us their spirit of devotion and their passion for teaching, interpreting the true meaning of “Teach to learn and learn to teach”.