By Adama Koné
At Mali Rising Foundation, we believe that learning should be engaging, interactive, and, most importantly, fun. One of the most effective and enjoyable ways for middle school students to learn is through group work. By working together in small groups, students can exchange ideas, collaborate on tasks, and reinforce their understanding in a supportive environment.
Learning Together: A Strategy That Works
Teachers who incorporate dynamic and interactive learning techniques are among the most beloved by students. Their innovative approaches create an eagerness to learn, both inside and outside the classroom. Recognizing the power of group work, Mali Rising Foundation has made it a core part of our educational programs.
A month ago, we launched extra French classes for forty seventh-grade students in some of our partner schools. These classes focus on four key areas to help students develop essential language skills:
Expanding vocabulary
Improving reading comprehension
Enhancing French speaking abilities
Strengthening listening and understanding skills
Our dedicated French teachers have been instrumental in making this initiative a success. They not only provide additional lessons but also remain available outside class hours to support students in their learning journey.
Engaging Activities at Ross and Marilou Moser Middle School
At Ross and Marilou Moser Middle School, students are particularly enthusiastic about learning French through group work and interactive activities. One of their favorite exercises involves using flashcards to construct sentences, a method that helps reinforce new vocabulary in a fun and practical way.
French teacher Mohamed Gaba recently introduced an engaging dictionary challenge, where students work in small groups to find and define words quickly. Many students in Mali struggle with dictionary use due to a lack of structured instruction on how to efficiently locate words. This activity provides them with a valuable skill that boosts both their confidence and their language proficiency.
A Student’s Perspective: The Joy of Learning Together
Ali Touré, a seventh-grade student wearing a bright yellow t-shirt to match his sunny disposition, shared his excitement about the program: "I am exceptionally grateful to my French teacher for these exercises, both in class and at home. They have helped me improve my vocabulary so much, and now I can find words in a dictionary quickly and understand their meanings. I’m also grateful to Mali Rising Foundation for this opportunity to improve my French through these engaging exercises. Group work is one of my favorite and fastest ways to learn because I get to share ideas with my classmates and learn from them as well. Thank you, Mali Rising Foundation!"
Investing in Student Success
Interactive learning strategies like group work foster a sense of community, enhance problem-solving skills, and make learning more enjoyable. By giving students the opportunity to collaborate and engage in hands-on activities, we are helping them develop not only their language skills but also their confidence and teamwork abilities.
Through continued investment in innovative teaching methods, Mali Rising Foundation remains committed to empowering students and ensuring they have the tools they need to succeed. Because when students learn together, they grow together.
