“Going to the Doctor’s” was the lesson that I delivered with Laura today to a group of lovely grade 4 students. The children, Laura and I thoroughly enjoyed it. After I started off by teaching them some basic phrases between a doctor and a patient, Laura acted out the worst day she could possibly have to the children: After getting serious headaches and stomachaches that could not be cured by prescribed medication, Laura had to have her blood drawn for a blood test, which was followed by a series of injuries ranging from a bang to her head to broken arms and hips. The children laughed hysterically as I bandaged up Laura like a mummy.

Having only taught younger children before, I was worried that I would not be able to convey more complex ideas when there is a language barrier. I wasn’t sure of the classes’ level of competency in English either. We were there to give a fun lesson to the children, but I did want them to be able to learn something from it as well.

All my worries disappeared the moment the lesson started. Having played sports with them earlier in the week, they were extremely friendly when we arrived and were very eager to learn. I was very impressed in how willing they were to repeat sentences aloud and copy them down in their workbooks. From the very few hours that we have had, I have learnt so much about effective communication from the children. Exaggerated facial expressions, body gestures and sketches were very effective in expressing ideas. I guess when both sides are
open to learning from each other and are willing to make the effort to attempt to understand each other, language gaps could easily be bridged.

Who needs actually words when a smile, a high-five and a playful tug of your hair can say so much already?