Subtitle: Waldorf Language immersion in a culturally rich environment

For students who want an immersion experience in English language Oak Island Waldorf School in Vancouver, in the beautiful island of British Columbia, Canada, offers a unique opportunity. Oak Island, an hour north of the historic capital Victoria is located in the Cowichan Valley resplendent. The word Cowichan, derived from the First Nations Quw'utsun "Khowutzun" means "warm land" or "Earth has warmed by the sun" in recognition of the temperate zone. The valley is a quiet, culturally rich community in which students can exchange and get further their Waldorf education, immersed in the English language.

Axel (surname), a student boarding and Yakob (surname), an exchange student, are both attending the oak island of Germany, for half the school year 2008/2009. Both students found that experience is valuable. "It'sa great opportunity to improve one's skills in the English language," says Yakob. "Everybody helps you learn English and not make a big deal about it. "Axel adds that he found his classmates happy to help when asked." If they know you wants to help you, then everyone helps, "he says. Both students found that Oak Island to and friendly welcome.

The two students also praised the power to make learning fun. "You learn, but the lessons are fun," says Axel. "You can enter the class more." They note that the small class sizes on the island of oak that the educational experience of a more personal, giving each student the opportunity to receive care single. This intimacy provides space to solve problems and offers opportunities for students and teachers to make decisions together. "There is a respect for the ability students to make decisions about life, "Yakob said gratefully.

Another consideration for study abroad is the opportunity to test a different environment to help one make a decision about where to go to college. Axel is a self-proclaimed "man of the city," but wanted to try a change of city life and has enjoyed seeing deer and raccoons closely. "Nature is awesome," he says. The island boasts an abundance of wildlife, including black bear, Roosevelt elk, bald eagles, and in the surrounding oceans, orcas (ORCA), sea lions, sea otters and porpoises. Interestingly, no skunks, bears brown or poisonous snakes in Vancouver Island.

Both young men praised the trips I have taken to Oak Island, including sea kayaking trip jump. "It was a new experience to go skiing with his school, "Yakob said. Vancouver Island offers a wealth of opportunities for outdoor activities, including kayaking sea rafting, hiking, camping, fishing, snorkeling, diving, caving, watching the storm on the rugged west coast of the island, and activities of snow in the mountains nearby.

Both Axel and Yakob has found the experience of the host family to be well organized, and recommends that students select families living in or near City to make it easier to move. He also suggested that German students are from the 10th grade exam schedule given in German. Despite this council, the two students from 11 ° to agree that although much of that will test preparation to return to Germany, they would come back during the 11th degree in a heartbeat.

Waldorf education is now its 28th year in the Cowichan Valley, surrounded by a strong anthroposophical community, including a Camp Hill, the Christian community, based anthroposopical naturopaths and nurses, a counselor based on Steiner's biography, and much more. The nearby Sunrise Waldorf School offers preschool and K-8 Waldorf education, with many students continue their secondary education Sunrise at Oak Island.

Oak Island has been developed strong exchange and internship programs. In the exchange program, a student from Germany living with the family of a current student of Oak Island for half a school year. During the other half, Oak Island student attends school in Germany and living with host families for exchange student. In the internship program, a student from Germany living with a foster family in the Waldorf community. There is a charge for shipping, while in the exchange program, each family is committed to providing each for living expenses of students housed.

Local students enjoy the opportunity to regulate foreign students entering high school for a semester, which helps create a seamless experience for foreign students. Axel and Yakob As noted, the local students are delighted to offer language assistance to the extent desired by student visitors. The entire community appreciates the richness brought by German and other foreign students and welcomes the exchange and boarding students with an open heart and open houses.

Visit the website of Oak Island href = "http://www.islandoak.org" target = "_blank"> www.islandoak.org.

About the Author:

Jos Valle is an assistant of Cowichan Valley projects, such as Sunrise Waldorf School and Island Oak and OUR Ecovillage

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Waldorf Education on Beautiful Vancouver Island

Orca Whales on our Sea Kayak Adventure trip in Canada