Alappuzha: British couple Gareth Langdon and Lucy Langdon stayed here for a month teaching English at Brightland English Medium School. Impressed, they came back thrice.
Like them, hundreds of foreigners volunteer to teach schoolchildren across the state - rural and urban - under knowledge exchange programmes. Many come with a commitment to teaching children aged 6 to 14.
"They help improve their vocabulary and speaking skills," says Usha Venkatesh, founder-chair of Brightland.
"Although English is an important language in the state, the conversational and vocabulary skills of children are not up to the mark. English language proficiency is essential for getting jobs, and the foreigners can instil confidence in them."
Many come to rural schools for international work experience that could boost their career prospects. They teach approximately four to five hours a week.
Asha Philip, director of Letterland English Medium School, agrees.
“We encourage not only the Britons but others like the French as well. So, we want to make each child feel they have opportunities not just in India but the entire world," she said.
S. Radhamani, a teacher at Rural Reconstruction UP School, Ullannoor, Pathanamthitta, says many give new academic experience to rural kids.
"Kerala Volunteer, an NGO founded by Daytona Barker of Greater Denver of the US, supplies volunteering teachers for us," she said.
The Irish Support Children Out of Poverty sends volunteers to St Mary’s School, Puthuppally, in Kottayam and UK-based Year Out India to three schools in Munnar.
Though mostly English, a few gives classes in arts, sports, reading, drama or one-to-one sessions. Volunteers also hold workshops on life skills or health.
