By Lisa Ramizi (YES 2018-2019, Kosovo, hosted by Aspect in Port Orchard, WA)

During my high school years, which was not too long ago, I wasn’t lucky enough to have a place to communicate in English and express myself using a language I loved speaking. Having a place to practice language skills, such as an English club, not only helps students practice their target language and become fluent, but it will also demonstrate the importance of learning this language and how useful it can be in the future. Most students are accustomed to only learning English by the books and materials provided by their teachers, but that is not enough when it comes to perfecting language skills. English Clubs serve as an excellent way for students to practice English in a social environment, expanding their vocabulary and fluency. Thankfully, my high school Xhavit Ahmeti now has an active English Club.

When I heard that this club was formed, I knew that it was a perfect opportunity for me as a City Representative of Gjilan to contribute. I decided to organize a Dame Day to show high school students how fun learning a new language can be. I planned for us to play “Taboo” and “Two Truths, One Lie.” The game “Taboo” is played by giving one student a card which contains a word and five other ‘forbidden’ words essential to describing the main word; naturally, they are not allowed to use these five words. The goal is to get the other students to guess the word by finding unconventional ways to describe it, thus expanding their vocabulary and descriptive skills. It was quite entertaining watching their frustration grow as they realized the difficulty of the game.  The game “Two Truths, One Lie” helped students get to know each other a little better. This game was played by each student tell two truths and one lie about themselves, prompting others to get which was the lie. Through this game, students were able to learn new things about their peers, practice telling stories in English, and encourage creative thinking.

English Club members were also interested to know more about the YES program, and I took my time to inform them about the program itself and the alumni community by sharing my own experience on the program and sharing what fellow alumni and I are doing in our communities.

Participating in this activity made me realize how much these students value learning the English language, and I was thoroughly impressed by their willingness to cooperate and work together. Our youth holds so much potential, and once the space for them to express themselves is provided they will not hold back and do everything within their power to make a difference in their community.