Elementary US Trip

Every October the Grade 5 students take an approximately16 day trip to the USA.

The first four days are spent camping in Zion Canyon in Utah. The last 9-10 days are spent with a host family in Beaverton / Portland area in Oregon. Students are paired with other Grade 5 students in the area and spend their homestay with their buddy's family. They go to school with their buddy and participate in classes with their buddy.

The trip requires students to apply the personal, social and linguistic skills acquired in elementary school including:

• working cooperatively with others
• emotional maturity
• independence and personal responsibility
• open-mindedness and willingness to try something new
• communicating and expressing oneself in English

Goals and Purpose of the Trip

• Linguistic:
  • Students will learn to understand and participate in English in classroom activities / instruction.
  • Students will communicate in English with American peers their same age in authentic settings.
• Cultural:
  • Students will gain a better understanding of American society / culture and develop deeper tolerance and respect for differences and other ways of thinking.
  • Awaken students curiosity about the world and broaden personal horizons.
• Independent Growth:
  • Students will develop a greater sense of independence, maturity and self-confidence.
  • Students will learn patience & flexibility