RUMBO A LAS NACIONES UNIDAS…. CON GLOBAL CLASSROOMS
Es éste un apasionante proyecto en el que nuestro instituto participa desde 2014. Durante el curso 2015/2016, aceptamos gustosos el reto de defender las posturas de Jamaica, Egipto, Holanda, Senegal y Austria sobre el tema de La Condonación de la Deuda a los países en vías de desarrollo y las reformas del sistema de préstamos por parte del Fondo Monetario Internacional … ¡¡Casi nada!!
El 18 de diciembre de 2015, los alumnos de 3ºA y 3ºB participaron en una Conferencia en el instituto donde los alumnos y alumnas lo dieron todo y se comportaron como verdaderos delegados de las Naciones Unidas. ¡¡Buen trabajo, chic@s!!
Además, diez de nuestros alumnos han participado en la Conferencia Preliminar de Global Classrooms, Model United Nations, que tuvo lugar el día 19 de enero en el CRIF-Las Acacias. Después de tantos meses de duro trabajo, representaron a sus naciones con éxito y participaron activamente en la elaboración de resoluciones. ¡¡Esperamos que estéis como mínimo tan orgullosos de vuestra participación como lo están vuestras profesoras y el auxiliar Fulbright de vosotros!!
¿QUÉ ES GLOBAL CLASSROOMS?
Global Classrooms es un proyecto en el que los alumnos de 3º de Sección Bilingüe participan en una serie de simulaciones de sesiones de debate de las Naciones Unidas sobre temas relacionados con sus objetivos de desarrollo, y siguiendo el protocolo y prácticas de la ONU.
Para ello, se crean grupos, o delegaciones, compuestas por dos o más alumnos, que representan a un país determinado: desde ese momento, los alumnos tienen que aprender todo lo que puedan no sólo del tema a tratar, sino del país en cuestión, pues deben defender la postura de la nación a la que representan en una Conferencia. En la misma, deberán exponer su posición de partida y punto de vista, pero también proponer mejoras, propiciar debates y elaborar resoluciones con otras delegaciones, que son debatidas y votadas por todos los participantes.
Dado que todas las actividades se realizan en inglés, la participación en este proyecto supone un considerable impulso en el dominio de la lengua inglesa de los alumnos, pues se enfrentan a tener que buscar información en textos especializados en inglés, realizar ensayos y discursos formales, presentaciones orales y negociaciones… todo ello utilizando la lengua inglesa.
En IES El Pinar, pensamos que este proyecto es extremadamente útil para los alumnos, pues con él van a adquirir y practicar destrezas que son importantísimas en nuestra sociedad: así, gracias a Global Classrooms los alumnos desarrollarán:
- Un conocimiento de asuntos globales de gran relevancia, viendo más allá del mundo que tienen alrededor.
- la capacidad de investigar un tema en concreto a fondo, utilizando fuentes fiables de información.
- pensamiento crítico, debiendo ponerse en la piel de un ciudadano de otra cultura diferente a la suya.
- elaboración de textos escritos utilizando un registro formal. También realizarán un discurso de presentación de su país.
-la capacidad de hablar en público, tantas veces señalada como una de las áreas donde los alumnos españoles muestran más dificultades. Además, tendrán que negociar y buscar acuerdos con alumnos a los que no conocen, mejorando sus habilidades sociales.
- la capacidad de comportarse de una manera profesional, pues los alumnos hablarán, se vestirán y se dirigirán a los demás de una manera adecuada para el entorno en el que están.
- por no olvidar que se darán cuenta de que, como individuos, ellos mismos tienen la capacidad de provocar cambios en el mundo que les rodea!
¡Y un largo etcétera!
(Adaptado de “The Fulbright ETA Handbook, 2015”).
Lee aquí los testimonios de l@s Delegad@s
JUMP ON THE GLOBAL CLASSROOMS ROLLERCOASTER!!!
Global Classrooms is a really exciting project in which our High School has participated since 2014. During the 2015-2016 academic year, we took on the challenge of representing Jamaica, Egypt, The Netherlands, Senegal and Austria and defending their positions on the issue of Loan Forgiveness and Deferment for Developing Countries and reforms on the IMF´s loan system…. A huge task!
On 18th December 2015, 3A and 3B students took part in a mock conference at our school, where they gave 100% and behaved like real United Nations delegates. The following weeks we also had two mock conferences with other high schools in which our students performed very well. Great job, everybody!!
Moreover, ten of our students went on to participate at the Preliminary Global Classrooms, Model United Nations Conference, which was held on 19th January at CRIF-Las Acacias. After such hard work over the past few months, they represented their countries successfully and were actively involved in the resolution writing process. Three out of our five delegations even sponsored a resolution that was passed by the committee! They should be very proud of themselves—just as their teachers and Fulbright assistant are incredibly proud of how well they did!!
WHAT’S GLOBAL CLASSROOMS?
Global Classrooms is a Project in which 3rd year Bilingual Section students participate in a series of Model United Nations mock debate sessions where they discuss issues related to diplomacy and international relations— with a focus on the UN’s Millennium Development goals and recent Sustainability Development goals—using the United Nations’ protocol and procedures.
In order to do this, groups –known as delegations– of two/three students are created in order to represent a specific country; from that moment on, the students have to conduct research and learn as much as possible about not only the topic in question, but also their given country, since they must defend their nation´s point of view and position on the issue at a Conference. During the Conference, students must represent their country’s position and point of view while suggesting improvements, encouraging discussion and writing up resolutions with other delegations. These resolutions and recommendations are then debated and voted on by all participating countries.
Since all these activities are carried out in English, it is clear that taking part in this project has a huge impact on the students’ command of the English language: not only do they have to look for information in formal, technical texts written in English, they also have to write their own formal essay, prepare an opening speech, give presentations, and lead and participate in negotiations … all of which have to be done using only the English language.
At IES El Pinar, we believe this project is extremely useful for our students, because it allows them to acquire and practice skills that are extremely important in today’s society. Thus, thanks to Global Classrooms, the students develop:
- Critical Thinking - Students grapple with real-world issues and put themselves in the shoes of the countries that they represent. Moreover, while actively listening to their peers during the debate, they have to learn how to determine what information is important and then form their own opinions on recommendations and suggested ideas.
- Research Skills - Students research general information on their assigned country, as well as the ways in which the country has been affected by the assigned global issue.
- Essay Writing - Students compose a Position Paper, which is an essay that concisely presents their country’s history, opinions, and suggestions for future action.
- Speech Writing - Students write Opening Speeches, representing their country’s opinion on and recommendations to resolve the issue at hand.
- Public Speaking - Students learn to share their ideas and deliver speeches in front of an audience. While practicing speeches, students learn how to make eye contact, modulate their voices, and control their nerves.
- Teamwork and Collaboration - Students learn how to work alongside peers, share ideas in a collaborative manner, and ultimately agree upon solutions to the issues and subtopics that committee is tasked to address.
- Professionalism - Many students will be entering a formal atmosphere for the first time, learning how to dress, behave and interact appropriately for in a formal setting.
- Leadership and How to Make a Difference - Students begin to understand the “power of one;” the idea that they themselves do have the power to make a difference in the world around them.
(Adapted from “The Fulbright ETA Handbook, 2015”).