We have 2 primary schools we go in to regularly to run after school English Conversation Clubs led by native English speakers and hope to start these in other schools as staffing allows. We also lead occasional English Classes, sometimes with visiting teams in primary and secondary schools.
Through these clubs and classes the children strengthen their confidence in speaking English.
Following an expressed need by teachers we work with, we organised 2 seminars for teachers and assistants in Hercegovačka-Neretvanska canton on the topic of ‘The integration of children with special needs in the regular education system’. On the 6th May 2023 60 teachers attended and on 11th November 2023 a further 160 came.
Our speaker was a local lady who specialises in this area. Tatjana Pejió Planinió, mag.logoped. et rehab.educ. from Centar za ranu razvojnu podršku Spectrum, Mostar.
We are planning 2 further seminars on related topics in 2024 – watch this space.
Through these seminars we are increasing the teachers and assistants competence and confidence in working with children with additional needs in the classroom.
One to one meetings, usually over coffee, with individuals who want English conversation practice with native speakers. These include teachers, business people, sports professionals and others.
From the 17-21st July, 22 14-19 year olds attended our week long English day camp.
With a team including ourselves, other Mostar based internationals and locals, alongside a visiting Swiss Team. We organised 5 days of activities to enable the young people to learn together and practice and improve in listening, speaking, reading and writing English. This included listening to a presentation on a topic, then discussing in teams some aspects of that and presenting their conclusions to the whole group. Across the week in teams they planned and filmed a film trailer and produced a poster for the film. They also had lots of fun and games and good food.
We have had various meeting and activities following the main Speak Up week, including bowling, debates, discussions and so forth. Building on the improvements they made during Speak Up.
Planned for 2024: A Speak Up Reunion on 3rd February with a similar format to the camp. This will be followed by a 6 week course on the world of work – which will include visiting speakers, CV writing, interview practice and other topics relevant to entering the work place.
Through this we will be helping the young people to continue to improve their competence in English whilst looking towards their futures with hope.
Currently, research in the form of an interview-based field study is being conducted. The goal of the research is to determine a programme to promote peace for the Association Be Catalysts in the region of Mostar and beyond. The field study aims to find ways to strengthen the capacity of individuals and the groups they associate with. This goes in line with Association Be Catalysts aim to be catalysts of positive changes in society and its focus on capacity building.
We had two opportunities to speak at an international high school in Mostar on the topics of disagreeing well and conflict transformation. These sessions aimed to give the students and teachers tools to strengthen their competences in the areas of conflict and communication.
At Association Be Catalysts, together with local partners,
we aim to be catalysts of positive changes in society and support, encourage and empower others to be catalysts of positive change too in their sphere of influence.
We do this by bringing people together to learn together, to share together, and to move towards their futures with hope.
Our main work at present involves offering English Conversation to individuals and schools in the form of 1:1 meetings, after school clubs, lessons. We also have a forum for English teachers to encourage each other and share good practice.
We have also facilitated a seminar for educators on the subject of integration of children with special educational needs into the regular education system.
We hope to plan more forums and seminars in the future in the areas of education, special needs, peacemaking and reconciliation.
We also organise week long English summer camps for high school teenagers.
If you are interested in our work or have any questions, please contact us. We would love to hear from you!
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Association Be Catalysts
(ABC Mostar)
Kneza M. V. Humskog
88 000 Mostar
BOSNIA HERCEGOVINA
info@becatalysts.org
+387 63 582922
ID: 4228129390005
Addiko Bank (BAM):
3060 0031 4234 6592
Addiko Bank (EUR):
BA39 3060 0031 4246 6678
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