Songs from films were performed this year in the ninth version of the "Singing Under the Stars", an English song festival held in Paihuano, where more than 60 students from 8 schools and the high school of the commune participated.
The 9th School English Festival "Singing Under the Stars" took place with great success and great motivation on the part of students and teachers of the Paihuano commune, where students from eight municipal schools that are part of the We Learn programme of Fundación Educacional Oportunidad showed all their artistic talent.
Cristopher Díaz is in 8th grade at the Jerónimo Godoy Villanueva school in Pisco Elqui and was part of the presentation of the film "Sync", where he performed the song "My Way" by Frank Sinatra. "I have participated on several occasions and all of us who participate are improving our level. The festival is very good because it allows you to learn more English, but through music," said the student.
Around 60 students from pre-kindergarten to 4th grade, from 8 municipal schools and the Mistraliano high school, gave life to this musical event, which was well attended by the community and local authorities, such as the mayor of Paihuano, Hernán Ahumada, who said that "this is the first year that we as a commune have organised the festival ourselves (previously it was organised by Fundación Educacional Oportunidad) and we were a little nervous, but everything went flawlessly". Regarding the teaching of English, the mayor thanked the Foundation "for the We Learn programme, which starts with the youngest children and which is so necessary in a tourist town".
This year's theme was "movie songs", from which the children demonstrated their singing skills and good command of the English language by performing classic songs such as "Under the Sea" from the movie The Little Mermaid, "Baby I Love Your Way" from Jumanji II or "I'm Still Standing" from the movie Sync as well as modern versions such as "Bamm" from the movie Zombies.
Focused on its objective of improving the quality of English teaching from the early years, with a strong emphasis on the oral expression of students, for the ninth consecutive year the teachers and directors organised this Festival, framed within the activities of the We Learn programme of Fundación Educacional Oportunidad.
In Chile, the Ministry of Education stipulates that children start learning English in fifth grade, while the We Learn programme implemented by Fundación Educacional Oportunidad in the Elqui Valley supports the teaching of English from pre-kindergarten with three hours a week and from first grade with five hours a week. New books are also provided every year, training is given to teachers and directors, and networking between schools in the communes of Paihuano and Vicuña is encouraged.
"We are pleased that teachers and principals are organising this activity that seeks to promote the learning of English through artistic activities that motivate students and entertain the community. Taking English out of the classroom is one of the objectives of our We Learn programme," said Marcela Marzolo, executive director of Fundación Educacional Oportunidad.
