So I am thinking of starting a small Eo school out of my local primary school, after hours say one night per week, for a hour.

Has anyone else started a small school like this, and if so what are the common difficulties. What sort of advertising is recommended, or suggested.

I've seen Mondeto.com and hope to use some of their resources.
Any and all help is welcome.

Hi the owner of mondeto.com is Penny Vos and I know her personally. She works for AEA (Australian Esperanto Association) doing exactly what you requested, promoting Esperanto through schools, and other support groups. Contact her and she will without doubt help you, and she's running a competition for her book, Teaching Esperanto to the Whole Wide World, which is 100$ value, but if you give a reason why you want a copy than she will grant you one free.

What lucky kids! I've never started/taught at something like that, but since it's only been a couple of years since I was being taught a second language at primary school a have a few suggestions.
1) Try to make it fun without "babying" the kids.
ex: Have a game or two during the class, but also incorporate something that makes the students feel like they're getting somewhere with Esperanto.
2) Repeat new vocabulary a couple times, but make sure to move on to new words after a sufficient mastery is acheived, as to not bore the kids with the same handful of words.
3) Give an opportunity to talk with the students in Esperanto and don't worry too much about correcting mistakes at the beggining as this can be embarrasing in front of their friends.
Be sure to choose subjects that are interesting to the age-group and insure that everyone has a chance to participate.

Good luck and have fun!

I was thinking the same thing.
It's got to be fun, not like another classroom, but fun, maybe little plays vocab tests with no marks.
a good pace of vocab development.
I want to link them into all the internet has to offer - including here, so that if they want to they can explore/learn more at their pace. but it will not be compulsory. I've learnt in fits and starts. stopped learning for months and then started back up.

I am planning to advertise at the school, of course, but also at the local library. Maybe try to get an article in the local paper. just raise the profile of Eo if nothing else.

Edukado.net has great resources for teachers of Esperanto, you can get a lot of great ideas.

Hi,

Yes, I myself have just started something similar. I am teaching a small class (6 children aged from 7 to 12) at my son’s Montessori primary school. I did a presentation to the school first about Esperanto and showed them all a bit of Mazi en Gondolando and when the teacher asked who wanted to learn nearly all 40 children put their hands up!

I’m going in twice a week for about 45 mins and the kids are really enjoying it & talking about it at home and those that aren’t in the class keep coming up to ask when they can learn. I think Esperanto is perfect for language learning for kids this age.

Some suggestions so far:

1) One of the things that seems to be a great hit, even with the older kids is that I have a hand puppet which I bring out sometimes. I have told them that he only speaks Esperanto, loves to ask questions and is also very forgetful and will often ask the same thing . This has really brought some of the quieter children out of their shell and they are happy to give speaking in Esperanto a go.
2) I also bought Penny Vos’ course which is good because I’m not a teacher and this gives some good guides & suggestions as well as having lots of games for learning.
3) I have suggested that the children watch Mazi en Gondolando during the week. It’s a great way for them to get a good ear for the language. My own children learnt a lot from it.
4) I’d like to get them doing more on the computer too as they enjoy that, unfortunately the school computers aren’t great for that. Will work on that one.
Songs are a great way to learn & the kids seem to learn them quickly & enjoy them. Eg ABC song.
5) I have created some materials eg laminated postcard size cards with the Esperanto numbers and how they work. I gave one to each child and they have been a big hit, it’s small enough they can carry round and then try and work out how to say numbers they see around.

Would be happy to keep in contact and share ideas.
Good luck with your endeavours!