This year, my ESL class is learning about the concept of a Global Village. What this means is that people on our earth are all interconnected and dependent on each other. Through technology, the world is becoming smaller.

We are very fortunate to have new friends from Armenia! A Peace Corps volunteer, Meghan McGinty, is teaching students English there and we have been communicating with them! My class made a Keynote about Thanksgiving and we emailed it to the teacher to share with her class. Thanksgiving was a learning experience for both of our classes, because some of my ESL students just moved to America and haven't celebrated Thanksgiving. Please check out our Thanksgiving Keynote!

Before the holiday break, the teacher in Armenia visited our class as a guest speaker. The experience was amazing! She and her sister brought in Armenian food for us to sample, and the coffee was delicious. They presented a PowerPoint about the country of Armenia and taught us a native dance. Her students also offered presents that represented Armenia.

My most powerful moment was when my students read their pen pal's letters. There was pure joy on my students' faces. Having this guest speaker was a day we will never forget! This Global Village unit has been an interesting journey so far...

Our classes finally Skyped in May and it was amazing to watch my students interact with their "pen pals". Other than the fact that we were Skyping to Armenia and the connection could have been better, the students connected like old friends sharing secrets. There were lots of giggles and creative English conversation. We talked for an hour and loved it!

Mrs. McNally