Following on from a very popular English Language Group Health and Wellbeing class last year, English Language Partners Wellington delivered another successful Health and Wellbeing course in the July holidays. Everyone was delighted to be back in the ‘real’ classroom again with their talented and hardworking teacher Kathy Ombler.
Whatever do stoats, rats, hedgehogs, pilates, yoga, podiatry and optometry have in common? Quite a lot, it turns out, for those attending a recent ‘Health and Wellbeing’ holiday course at Wellington centre. Heaps of new language, for starters, and so much more.
First, the learners brainstormed the topic and agreed that health and wellbeing of both the natural world and our personal lives were closely interrelated. Also, that the Maori word ‘ora’, meaning health, being alive, wellbeing, was a worthy (and shorter) name for the week-long course.
Changes to New Zealand’s natural landscape since people arrived, bringing with them farm animals plus predator pests, were discussed. The ‘visit’ of several ‘taxidermied’ pests generated animated discussion and the class learned about the positive effects of predator control and tree planting throughout Wellington’s numerous green areas- parks, reserves and town belt.
‘Plastic Free July’ was also addressed, leading to a ‘bingo game’ learning about recycling and how to protect our seabirds and environment from the perils of plastic.
When it came to caring for our own health and wellbeing, several volunteer experts visited to advise – also to get the class moving! Personal trainer Laurent Pang (pictured here with the class) addressed functional movement and bone-strengthening for osteoporosis prevention, physiotherapist Jason Cheng took a pilates session, Takako Ito had us stretching and breathing with yoga and classmate David Wu led everyone in a tai chi experience.
We learned about foot care, thanks to visiting podiatrist Trevor Tillotson, and eye care with therapeutic optometrist Natalie Wong. The class also worked hard to remember the names of specialists, fill medical forms and practised role plays for calling Healthline.
