A Special Message from Fanni

The following is written by Fanni who is a serious and highly motivated 16 year old student who is very interested in improving her English abilities. She has found interacting with Volunteers very helpful. Three of her classes are taught in English by very capable Hungarian Teachers who also teach English.

- Milt Diehl, Volunteer Team Leader

Fanni—front row lower right in a Geography class being taught by Volunteer Ann Marie Cox in English. Fanni is very intently listening to the lecture. The students had already studied the topic when it was taught in Hungarian (magyar) and now they are hearing the same information in English and learning new vocabulary.

When I first met the Volunteers the question was why right here, why to Hódmezõvásárhely? And the answer was really surprising: because in Hungary this is the only town where they are invited to. My reaction: how can it be that such good people are invited only to one place in the whole country? I could hardly believe it.

But it is true, and the volunteers' are so kind and helpful that the local people, student’s and teacher’s want to be helpful to the volunteers and talk and meet with them. I am glad to know many volunteers.

Speaking with the volunteers always makes me happy. They are very attentive so the problem due to the lacks in my English knowledge is surmounted. That is the very first reason why I felt in love with this feeling given by the conversation of English speakers.

Besides they are really, really nice, they are always smiling, and have a good sense of humour The continuous speaking taught me many things. First of all how to speak in English in an clear way and speed with correct accent. Moreover my listening comprehension has improved, and I always learn new words, expressions which are useful. I really enjoy all the time what I spend with them, their calm takes me over then, and thinking in English works out, better expressions come to my mind and the speaking becomes more immediate. I enjoy this state. And when it comes during the lesson, it is fantastic. However, we have teachers who speak and teach in English well, it is not the same. A lesson with native English is always a great fun. We have a certain vocabulary in certain subjects, but the natives always have more to show us. The way they speak is very enjoyable, and their personality always give the final spice for it.

Left to right: Beni (a friend of Fanni), Oonagh (a Global Volunteer), and Fanni.

The town has many nice places which are worth visiting, knowing the background, the history of them. The students like the lessons with volunteers because they always have interesting topics to talk about and funny game, and we can talk about serious ones as well, so it is a great fun. Studying by playing. Furthermore, the students do not have to study for those lessons, only bring their knowledge and attention and the lesson is going to be much better than any before with the official teacher. The programs are useful and interesting.

I like the story, about a volunteer who did not believe that she could hold a lesson. But the time came and after the lesson she went to the Team Leader and told him, that she thought that ' I can do this now and I like it'. Well, we are people as well, and we will not value the performance, we just want to know people by the help of an other language, and have a good conversation. The most important is to be self-confident and talk about something interesting, what you think to be interesting for the certain age group. The evening lessons are the same: calm conversations about a topic which everyone is interested in, questions, and feeling good all the lessons long and after them as well.

A very interesting and good part of those lessons is when we teach something in Hungarian to the volunteers, like 'puha' (soft). OK, Hungarian is a hard language, but we like their first pronunciation. Later they become better, and more clear.

Me, a student, who tries to keep in touch with the volunteers, can not say other, just to come here and have fun with the locals. It is a good feeling, I think, to be on almost the contrary part of the Earth, or I will feel it when I will be in the US, but it can be just good. I have spoken with many volunteers but I do not remember any, who would have told they did not enjoyed here.

And sorry for the mistakes. I will work on improving, and I will work on it during speaking with you and writing you as well.

Fanni, an enthusiastic student