News United States Air Force
 Aviano AB strengthens community relationships through English Teaching ProgramPublished Sept. 14, 2022
                        
                        By Senior Airman Brooke Moeder
                        
                        
                        31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
                **AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy (AFNS) --**
                U.S. Air Force Airmen from **Aviano Air Base** and other members of the Wyvern community voluntereed to teach English to Italian children in communities around the base through the **Vicini Americani English Teaching Program**.

This summer, volunteers taught English to Italian children in local middle and high schools, as well as two summer camps.

The summer camps took place July 4-29 in Polcenigo, and Aug. 29 through Sept. 9 in Aviano. Children ranging from 6-14 years old attended the summer camp lessons.

During the summer camps, more than 45 volunteers interacted with the children through different activities and workshops that focused on culture, traditions and lifestyles. These activities helped improve the children’s English and communicative skills in a way that was designed to be organic and expectation-free.

The children created crafts, played sports, participated in nature walks and more while they were learning. Through informal conversations, children were taught English pronunciation, listening, spelling and speaking skills.Children participate in a “Web of Questions” activity at the Giovani in Movimento summer camp in Aviano, Italy, Aug. 31, 2022. During the “Web of Questions” activity, each person who asked a question to a U.S. Air Force member would hold one part of a ball of string, until eventually a web was created. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brooke Moeder)Children participate in a “Web of Questions” activity at the Giovani in Movimento summer camp in Aviano, Italy, Aug. 31, 2022. During the “Web of Questions” activity, each person who asked a question to a U.S. Air Force member would hold one part of a ball of string, until eventually a web was created. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brooke Moeder)
            
            
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    Airman 1st Class Conner Randolph, Vicini Americani English Teaching Program volunteer, teaches English to a high school class in a local city near Aviano Air Base, Italy. During the 2021-2022 school year, more than 49 volunteers taught 226 hours of English and some Spanish to 700 high school and middle school students over the course of 61 classes in a local city. The program is scheduled to continue into the 2022-2023 school year with plans to also reach elementary schools. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brooke Moeder)Airman 1st Class Conner Randolph, Vicini Americani English Teaching Program volunteer, teaches English to a high school class in a local city near Aviano Air Base, Italy. During the 2021-2022 school year, more than 49 volunteers taught 226 hours of English and some Spanish to 700 high school and middle school students over the course of 61 classes in a local city. The program is scheduled to continue into the 2022-2023 school year with plans to also reach elementary schools. (Courtesy photo)
            
            
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    Heidi Owen, Vicini Americani English Teaching Program volunteer, helps a student with an English teaching activity at the Giovani in Movimento summer camp in Aviano, Italy, Aug. 31, 2022. During the summer camps, volunteers participated in different activities and workshops with the children that helped improve their English and communicative skills. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brooke Moeder)Heidi Owen, Vicini Americani English Teaching Program volunteer, helps a student with an English teaching activity at the Giovani in Movimento summer camp in Aviano, Italy, Aug. 31, 2022. During the summer camps, volunteers participated in activities and workshops with the children that helped improve their English and communicative skills. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brooke Moeder)
            
            
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“The summer camp had less of a classroom atmosphere and the kids were more receptive to learning English differently than in a school atmosphere,” said Retired Army Master Sgt. Leandro Rocha, English Teaching Program volunteer. “Currently we are trying to re-make a music video where the kids have to not only translate the lyrics but the meaning behind the song.” 

During the 2021-2022 school year, more than 49 volunteers taught 226 hours of English and some Spanish to 700 high school and middle school students over the course of 61 classes in a local city. The program is scheduled to continue into the 2022-2023 school year with plans to also reach elementary schools.

The volunteers shared information about themselves, their habits, travels, work experiences, expectations and more during their visits to each school.

“I feel extremely grateful to the group of volunteers who came to our schools,” said Nicoletta Caine, a local High School for Tourism and Economy Spanish and English teacher. “The volunteers could choose a simple topic and speak about that or have a conversation with different groups of students in the same class or even play games with them. It has been an interesting and stimulating experience.”

The students were happy to meet the volunteers and appreciated the activities, according to Caine.

“They were very eager to be able to speak to native speakers and exchange their views with them and learn about their habits, tastes, interests and job roles,” Caine said. “They surely improved their capability to use the languages, acquiring more courage and confidence.”

Rocha also volunteered three times in high school classrooms in spring 2022. Rocha explained that the students were interested in why Americans use conjunctions as well the use of different dialects spoken across regions of the states.

“My experience was great,” Rocha said. “They watch shows and wonder why New Yorkers speak differently than those shows with people from Texas. They recognize that Italians have a different dialect based on where someone comes from; but the students are just amazed more by the U.S. way of speaking English. You can tell they want to learn more compared to learning basic Oxford English taught in their schools.”

On Sept. 13, 2022, Daniele Basso, the vice mayor of Aviano, Mario Della Toffola, Polcenigo mayor, and **Col. Timothy Maxwell**, 31st Mission Support Group commander, recognized more than 30 members that volunteered or helped coordinate for the local school visits and the summer camps.

During the ceremony, Della Tofolla reiterated the strong friendships between the communities and emphasized one of Aviano AB’s mission statements: we are stronger together.

“I see different ranks in this room but we are all the same rank when it comes to volunteering,” Maxwell said.

The Vicini Americani English Teaching Program helps foster strong relationships in the local community and allows Aviano AB to give back to its host nation.

“I think the program is important to both the young students of the local Italian community and the U.S. service member equally,” Rocha said. “It breaks down an invisible wall and it allows the service member to understand that they have a responsibility like that of an ambassador to educate young Italian children.”FS 



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