Name Khaled Camargo
From Colombia
Program EMI Language Immersion Program
Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and where you are from?
I’m Khaled Camargo from Colombia. I had the opportunity of a lifetime, coming to Canada and expanding my horizons. I come from a small town in the Caribbean region of my country called Maicao. I am a lawyer and recently graduated from law school. Currently I am completing a degree in teaching foreign language. I love reading and writing, spending time with my family and friends, and also gaining new knowledge every single day. I consider myself a lifelong learner.
What motivated you to choose the English Language Institute at UBC for your language studies?
UBC is a prestigious institute that offers unique resources and sites while learning. I came here thanks to an immersion program offered by “Universidad del Atlantico” which partnered with UBC this year for the first time. I really wanted to improve my language skills and also gain some techniques and strategies to better my teaching skills.
Which programs did you participate in at ELI?
I participated in the “EMI Language Immersion Program,” designed to improve our language skills as well as our teaching strategies and techniques. The seven week program was divided by modules and included morning and afternoon classes. Morning classes focused on “integrated skills” and afternoon classes explored “experiential learning”. The idea was to learn strategies and build educational materials to apply in our future experiences, while also enhancing our English language skills.
How have the language skills you gained at ELI benefited you?
From my perspective, I will be a better and stronger professional thanks to the training I received here. I feel that my writing and speaking skills expanded a lot because of the opportunity to interact and learn from many people from different cultures.
Another big take-away has been integrating creativity in teaching. I feel that I now have more ideas about how to plan a language lesson, how to engage students, and how to make the learning process an enjoyable and significant one.
How has studying at UBC helped you to prepare for your future goals, in career or further education?
This beautiful time here at the ELI provided us with lot of good memories, including lessons and activities that made us realize how complex, challenging, but rewarding the teacher profession is. From my point of view, every Atlántico student that came here with me also feel different now in the sense that are more prepared to start their teaching professions. Being at the ELI made me reflect on how important it is to set goals, to choose an approach, and to keep evolving in order to contribute in the enhancement of our educational system.
Can you talk about the experiential learning approach in this program? (e.g. classroom observation, workshops, community visits, subject matter experts…)
It was an amazing experience in which I discovered that history, culture, and identity hold an important space in every single learning process. We got to learn a lot about the Canadian identity and the evolution of the country, including what Canadians experienced throughout time.
Going to museums, art galleries and even VR events gave me a new perspective about teaching through meaningful activities. We also engaged with people and teachers from other countries such as Japan, China, Perú, Etc. It was an opportunity to exchange knowledge and experiences and to realize that the world is bigger than we thought prior to joining this program.
Can you tell us about your background as a teacher? What new teaching techniques or strategies did you learn at ELI?
I have experience teaching languages and as well as teaching law. I had the opportunity to be a faculty monitor when I was doing my first degree in law so I performed as a teacher’s assistant, preparing lessons in law and social science in general. In the language field, I have taught in primary schools, and last month, I participated in teaching practicums at the University, specifically, in the role of a tutor for students.
What were some of the most impactful experiences you had during the program, either in the classroom or through cultural activities?
I think that in general, every single experience taught me something. I really enjoyed one task in which we explored different neighborhoods in Vancouver in order to prepare a presentation. It was an opportunity to discover how varied and multicultural this wonderful city is.
Another meaningful adventure was going to “Fly over Canada” , a VR show in which we felt that we were on a trip through various corners of Canada, even experiencing sensations about the temperature and all the characteristics of the environment. It was essentially a way of getting to know the most iconic places of this country.
What was it like sharing your Colombian culture with others at ELI?
Sharing my culture makes me appreciate the things that I have back in my country. The experience to meet people from other countries was simply stunning for us. Many of us made friends from Japan, in particular, and shared many humorous moments together. Actually, one day we invited our Japanese friends to join us in a “immersion version” of a Colombian traditional holiday that we have on December 7. It was a great way to experience our own Colombian culture in a different way.
What advice would you give to someone considering studying at ELI?
I would advise approaching your time at ELI with an open mind and a willingness to fully engage. ELI offers more than just language learning; it’s a chance to experience different cultures and teaching strategies. Make sure to take part in all activities, whether workshops or community events, and embrace the entire learning process to grow as a student and professional.
Also, connect with classmates and instructors to gain insights from their diverse perspectives. Remember, language learning is a journey, so stay patient, consistent, and curious, and it will be a rewarding experience both personally and professionally.
What is your favourite place in Vancouver, and what made it special to you?
I would say that Kitsilano Beach. The vibes there were amazing and being there, you were also surrounded by other great sites as well such as parks, as well as the Museum of Vancouver. Together with my friends, we enjoyed some beautiful moments there.
Many thanks to Khaled for participating in this interview.
