+ A
A -
Tribune News Network
Doha
Sixteen male students from the Foundation Programme (FP), the Deanship of General Studies at Qatar University (QU) registered in English for Communications II course visited Qatar-Finland International School (Q.F.I.) to share Qatari folktales through the English language. The organiser of the event, Q.F.I. Librarian Holly Crewe, arranged for Foundation programme students to present stories to 450 children in 20 classes from kindergarten to grade 5.
The volunteered Foundation program students told stories that focused on Qatari culture and Islamic values from a collection of folktales that were written by Foundation Program students (Tales of Qatari Heritage).
The Foundation program students prepared for two weeks prior to the event under the leadership of Mr. Jeffrey Maggard, lecturer in the Foundation Program Department of English and lead for (Tales of Qatari Heritage) project. They benefitted in many ways. Not only did the practice improve their English pronunciation, intonation, and reading skills, but it also helped them become more confident in using English for authentic communication.
Mohammad Kadkhododaei, student from the College of Business, said, “This was the first time in my life to tell a story to kids. It was amazing and most of them liked the story. I learned how to tell a story without making the listener feel bored. Now I feel confident about telling stories to any group. I want to go back and do this again.”
Yousef Al-Naggar reported, “As a student from the College of Education, the event helped me gain confidence to teach students in the future. In addition, I was able to overcome my fear about talking with a group of people. Watching kids enjoy hearing our stories also encouraged me to read more and do events like this to enlighten kids about local culture and do something good for the next generation.”
The children of Qatar-Finland International School, representing 62 nationalities, were thrilled to receive their special guests. Sammy Cox, age 10, exclaimed, “Qatari culture is very interesting!” His classmate, Bilal Hassen added, “The Shaikh in the story was so clever!” Both students, from class 5A listened to the story “The Donkey’s Tail”.
“Hearing stories from Qatar’s rich tradition of oral storytelling was a very special experience for our students” said Mr. Nikke Keskinen, General Manager and Head of Q.F.I. School. “It gave our Qatari students a chance to feel pride in their cultural heritage, and our non-Qatari students a better understanding of the traditions and values of their friends and classmates.”
In addition to providing a mutually enriching experience for both groups of students involved, events like these have the added benefit of preserving and transmitting the unique folklore of Qatar, ensuring these tales will live on for generations to come.
Doha
Sixteen male students from the Foundation Programme (FP), the Deanship of General Studies at Qatar University (QU) registered in English for Communications II course visited Qatar-Finland International School (Q.F.I.) to share Qatari folktales through the English language. The organiser of the event, Q.F.I. Librarian Holly Crewe, arranged for Foundation programme students to present stories to 450 children in 20 classes from kindergarten to grade 5.
The volunteered Foundation program students told stories that focused on Qatari culture and Islamic values from a collection of folktales that were written by Foundation Program students (Tales of Qatari Heritage).
The Foundation program students prepared for two weeks prior to the event under the leadership of Mr. Jeffrey Maggard, lecturer in the Foundation Program Department of English and lead for (Tales of Qatari Heritage) project. They benefitted in many ways. Not only did the practice improve their English pronunciation, intonation, and reading skills, but it also helped them become more confident in using English for authentic communication.
Mohammad Kadkhododaei, student from the College of Business, said, “This was the first time in my life to tell a story to kids. It was amazing and most of them liked the story. I learned how to tell a story without making the listener feel bored. Now I feel confident about telling stories to any group. I want to go back and do this again.”
Yousef Al-Naggar reported, “As a student from the College of Education, the event helped me gain confidence to teach students in the future. In addition, I was able to overcome my fear about talking with a group of people. Watching kids enjoy hearing our stories also encouraged me to read more and do events like this to enlighten kids about local culture and do something good for the next generation.”
The children of Qatar-Finland International School, representing 62 nationalities, were thrilled to receive their special guests. Sammy Cox, age 10, exclaimed, “Qatari culture is very interesting!” His classmate, Bilal Hassen added, “The Shaikh in the story was so clever!” Both students, from class 5A listened to the story “The Donkey’s Tail”.
“Hearing stories from Qatar’s rich tradition of oral storytelling was a very special experience for our students” said Mr. Nikke Keskinen, General Manager and Head of Q.F.I. School. “It gave our Qatari students a chance to feel pride in their cultural heritage, and our non-Qatari students a better understanding of the traditions and values of their friends and classmates.”
In addition to providing a mutually enriching experience for both groups of students involved, events like these have the added benefit of preserving and transmitting the unique folklore of Qatar, ensuring these tales will live on for generations to come.
