THE WORLD IN YOUR CLASSROOM 2014: BECOME A GUEST LECTURER!

THE WORLD IN YOUR CLASSROOM 2014: BECOME A GUEST LECTURER!
September 2014 by: R Veldman
The Hague is an international city, with people from across the globe working and living here.

The Municipality of the Hague is a keen supporter of volunteer programs, especially those that help bridge the gap between local and international residents. One such program is the World in your Classroom (TWIYC).

What is the World in your Classroom (TWIYC)?

The World in your Classroom is a unique and exciting volunteer program where internationals living in the Hague, volunteer their time and experience, by giving guest lectures to Dutch high school students about their home countries. Lectures are given entirely in English and can be on a variety of subjects, including geography, history, civics, sociology, English, culture and current affairs.

Guest lectures will be given in English, during regular class hours and could be about a variety of subjects
Prior to your presentation you will receive a thorough didactic training, together with other internationals, to make sure you are fully prepared!

Lucie Cunningham, Program Coordinator: ���We�۪ve had a lot of positive feedback, both from participating schools and from internationals. TWIYC teaches students, aged 13 to 15, about the diversity of their hometown and gives them the opportunity to learn firsthand, about life in a country that may be on the other side of the world. It also challenges them to think beyond cultural stereotypes and helps them practice their English skills. And for many internationals it�۪s a great way to give back to the community and to meet like-minded people�۪.

Last year more than 50 internationals participated in the program, giving over 74 hours of guest lectures at 15 high schools in the Hague. Joana Bouza Serrano, a history teacher and writer from Portugal, was one of them. Joana: ���I moved to the Hague with my husband and two children last year and was looking for a way to get to know my new home town. My own children go to an international school, so it was very interesting to learn more about how the Dutch high school system works. TWIYC also allowed me to experience the international atmosphere of this remarkable historical city and I greatly enjoyed meeting my fellow lecturers from all over the world!�۪

Would you like to participate?

The World in your Classroom will take place in classrooms throughout the Hague from November 17 to November 28. You can sign up for as many guest lectures as you want: from 1 hour to 40 hours. However it is encouraged to sign up for at least two, this way you will be able to gain experience giving your presentation and to discover different schools. Prior to your presentation you will receive a thorough didactic training, together with other internationals, to make sure you are fully prepared!

Find out more about TWIYC and sign up via www.theworldinyourclassroom.nl

For more information about volunteering in the Hague visit www.volunteerthehague.nl