As Carolyn Hadley completes her placement, we’re delighted to share some of the meaningful feedback she’s received from her students. The handwritten evaluation from July 11, 2024, offers a glimpse into the lasting impression she’s made as a language teacher.
Building Bridges Through Language
Carolyn’s approach to teaching demonstrates the core values of Palms Australia’s mission—creating authentic relationships and mutual development by building on existing strengths within local communities. Students particularly highlighted her skill in using four languages to facilitate learning, with special attention to translating English sentences into Tetun.
“Teacher uses the 4 languages skills for the students,” one student noted. “Teacher tries to translate English sentences into Tetun, it’s really help them to study.”
Cultivating a Dynamic Learning Environment
What stands out in the feedback is Carolyn’s commitment to creating an engaging classroom atmosphere. Students described her teaching as “very dynamic, never make the students too busy/bored” and appreciated how she encouraged participation through opportunities “to talk and hands up.”
Her teaching methods reflect Palms Australia’s philosophy that relationships and skill development are priorities when working with communities. Through group work, where “the group leader always help another students to pronounce the words correctly,” Carolyn fostered a collaborative learning culture.
Beyond Language: Modelling Values
Perhaps most significantly, Carolyn’s impact extended beyond language instruction. Students expressed appreciation for her modeling of important values:
- “Teacher teaches them to be honest”
- “Your teaching as a teacher really help me to be polite and as an example for me to respect the time”
These comments reflect how our volunteers don’t just transfer skills—they embody Palms Australia’s values of acting justly, walking humbly, and loving tenderly in their daily interactions.
A Teaching Approach That Resonates
The detailed feedback highlights specific teaching practices that made Carolyn’s classes effective:
- Providing clear tokens for correct answers
- Encouraging preparation before class
- Creating comprehensive summaries “not take all the things from the book”
- Making time to help students individually
- Using visual aids that students “really enjoy”
- Speaking Tetun in the classroom
As Carolyn concludes her placement, this feedback demonstrates how Palms Australia’s approach to development—focusing on relationship, skill-sharing, and mutual growth—creates meaningful change in communities. We look forward to sharing more formal evaluation in the future, but these heartfelt comments already tell a powerful story of cross-cultural connection and learning.
To support other Palms participants in the field please consider making a donation here.