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Reviews for ETA4
Hi! I'm Thanh Thanh, Vietnamese
Actually, I'm a student joined ETA4 2 years in Hue, but I'd to be called a volunteer too, I was with ETA4 after 4 or 5 weeks teaching and studying, we did some volunteer works. I do really appreciate what ETA4 have done here.. They bring us not only knowledge about many things such as English skills ( of course ), culture across the world, etc but also the awareness about social problems, the connection among people... and even more!
I am so happy and lucky to be a student, a volunteer and especially a friend of them, ETA4's members. They did such a great work, bring across the world many things and the most important is their motivation, their love to help people here, most importantly are the children, the young!
I wish ETA4 would be growing better and better all the time to help people not only in Vietnam but all over the world. And wish each of EAT4's member a happy and successful life!
Love you all :)
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
English skills, I can talk with foreigner fluently. Knowing that many people out there are have nothing to eat, living a tough life... so I have to try more, be with ETA4 to help those people have a better life!
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
It's possible that ETA4 have a local branch such as in Vietnam, the volunteers here may help ETA4 to find orphanages is really need to help, provide information or some things can help... It's my ideal!
What I love most about ETA4 is its ability to integrate volunteering with its mission to provide free English instruction. This combination allows students to be active participants in their community and illustrates to them the importance of giving back. Also, it allows them to see firsthand the countless benefits that come from volunteering. ETA4's unique program makes it a great nonprofit and distinctive from other organizations that teach English.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Da Lat, Viet Nam in the Summer of 2011
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
expand the program to include different locations.
Before volunteering with ETA4, I never fully understood the magnitude of joy rewarded in helping others. Now, however, I can't imagine something more amazing than just that. I traveled to Taiwan, a country of a different language and culture, last summer with ETA4. In the time I spent there I fell in love with a hundred children, a whole country, a entirely new culture, and most importantly, the act of teaching others. ETA4 embraces teaching English as a means to not only help others to achieving their own goals but as a means to understanding another culture and making new relationships. The work ETA4 does then is so much more than English lessons. ETA4 opens students and volunteers to an entirely new way of viewing the world, themselves, and their own capabilities.
One of my students Annie, a shy student hesitant to speak English in class, helped me realize this about ETA4. During a class break, looking over class journals, Annie began asking me questions about where I live, what I like to do, and what "America" was like. The next day, in her journal Annie wrote about our conversation. It was reading her entry that made me understand why I had come to Taiwan. She explained how she never talked in class because her English was "bad" but that talking to me made her really happy, that she wanted to try to speak in English more, and that, perhaps, she could even come to America sometime to visit me and speak more English. It seems so simple and maybe not even anything special to the average person reading this, but to me this is the essence which makes me come to tears when I think of 'my kids' in Taiwan. To volunteer with ETA4 is to make relationships like these. Ones that encourage students who believe they have so little realize they can dream and be anything they set their minds to. They can speak English, they realize. They can travel to another country, they realize. They can, they realize, do so much more than they ever imagined.
A similar realization dawned on me too during this moment. I began to realize that I can, along with every other individual, offer so much to others. That I can truly make a impact on the lives of others. I think sometimes that many people feel they don't have the means, the aptitude, or the special skills to truly make a difference in the world. But thats so untrue. I believe ETA4, which emphasizes passion to help others more than anything, embraces this. As an organization it provides an overall greater understanding for both its volunteers and students about their extraordinary capabilities.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
My everyday life. I now have a greater appreciation for my surroundings and own personal abilities. Each time I think of my students in Taiwan, I am not only brought to tears by memories of them but I am motivated to do my best because I know that's what they are doing themselves. I have become more aware of the precious opportunities I have been given in my life and I appreciate them more fully than ever. Most importantly, I believe in helping others as the most precious gift to oneself and the others.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
ETA4 is still a very young organization and as a result, has some structural issues to still be smoothed over. Improvements can be made by improving communications with volunteers, delegating tasks among members, and solidifying certain details of the various projects. Overall, these improvements will help ETA4 grow as an organization as it already has the passion and soul necessary for success.
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?
Likely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you tell others about this organization?
Definitely
How did you learn about this organization?
A friend from my college-dorm who was attending an ETA4 program.
What is this organization's top short-term priority?
Improve the overall organization of the projects, member development, and delegation of tasks.
What is its top priority in the long run?
Help students in other countries learn English, reach a higher level of cultural understanding, and form relationships that will last forever.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
I have been watching and walking through the grow of ETA4 over the past 3 years. That marked an enormous effort of all ETA4 team members. And more enormously, our effort greatly benefited the future of all local children/students. As a humble helper while ETA4 in VN , I would like to call all individuals/ organizations support us - under any means to bring a brighter future of the children, especially the underprivileged one where ET4 comes to.
It's not easy to find a non-profit ozg being professionally operated by the young girls and guys who are just under and over 20. ETA4 work dedicatedly on donator's behalf to transfer their kindness to the right children at the right place.
And I myself also grew a lot thanks to ETA4's presence in Vietnam.
Feel free to contact me at lvlong2@gmail.com to hear more about the great grow in terms of the academic aspect as well as memorable time with ETA4.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
In Vietnam
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Expand the program to more localities
I was a volunteer in Dong Nai City for the summer of 2010. Throughout the program we visited multiple schools, youth centers, and orphanages. This program allows the teacher to become immersed in their student's learning experience. The teachers are allowed a great deal of flexibility to be creative in their approach to teach English. At the end of the program I noticed improvement at every level for all the students I taught. They became more confident in their abilities and were not afraid to share what they know with the class.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The students I taught initially had confidence issues. They were not comfortable with their ability to speak English. It was difficult to get them to answer in-class questions voluntarily. Using interactive activities such as dance and music the students gained confidence while learning English. At the end of just one month of teaching the students had the confidence to stand up to speak their mind.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
The organization is quite new. Additional help is needed financially. If we were able to get more funding the teachers would have more resources to do more exciting and creative projects for the students.
I first heard about ETA4 in 2008 when the founders were still in the process of getting their non-profit status approved. They shared that they wanted to implement a more innovative way of teaching English to kids who pretty much had enough of English during the school year. How were they going to successfully teach it over the summer while making an impact? When they had gone to Vietnam, they had seen the textbooks and the homework but no passion within the students. To tackle this obstacle and show that there was much more to learning, English Through Academics, Athletics, and the Arts was created. While ETA4 may seem like an organization similar to any other teaching program, it defines itself through awareness of the universal affinity for arts and athletics and incorporates those interests into its everyday curriculum.
Back then, the website was nothing but a simple blue and white with segments of text here and there ... mostly "Under Construction". Today, just a little over 2 years, eta4.org has evolved into a website colored with photos from trip after trip, media, sponsorships, and detailed proposals of its mission and day to day contributions. The website is a tremendous example and personification of the growth ETA4 has witnessed during these last few years. Over 30 volunteers have taught abroad and thousands of dollars raised by the effort of the community have brought smiles and an English education to over 1500 children across 4 cities in 2 countries. This summer, ETA4 still continues to uphold its new but standing tradition of spreading goodwill to thousands more in the rural areas of East Asia.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I had been involved with ETA4 since its inception in 2008 but did not get a chance to volunteer abroad myself until summer of 2010 in Taitung, Taiwan. Finally getting the chance to teach abroad was nothing remotely close to living vicariously through the pictures and stories previous volunteers had brought back with them. Seeing tears in the nearly 200 faces during our program's closing ceremony was an inexplicable feeling that no amount of donations or local community work could compensate.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Develop the organization further by creating solid foundations in areas outside of Southern California. ETA4 has received applications from all over the United States (and outside the country as well!) but only has a single base in San Diego. Expanding to multiple cities would allow ETA4 to connect more with its volunteers as well as open up new opportunities to run local community projects in various areas.
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you tell others about this organization?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
I am going to be a volunteer this summer in Taiwan to teach little kids English. When I first encountered ETA4, i know that this program is very meaningful. It takes a lot for an organization to go this far, all the way around the world to help out. This is a once-in-a lifetime opportunities both for the volunteers and the students to get to know one another culture/language across the globe.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
organizing fundraising events, teaching ideas as well as spreading the mission.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
have more people know about this wonderful group and give access to more people.
English Through Academics, Athletics, and the Arts Abroad (ETA4) is a
nonprofit with a mission is to promote international goodwill and understanding by enhancing students' English education through a variety of mediums, including music, art, and athletics, as well as traditional English instruction, allowing the student to have a no-cost, well rounded and ultimately successful learning experience.
I'm very impressed with this organization, mostly because of the Program Director, Anna Huynh. Anna is motivated, bright, organized and dedicated to this cause. I've worked with Anna over this past year while she has worked in my office as a student intern . . . she is fabulous and know that this nonprofit is in good hands.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Observing the work ethic and competence of the program director
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
N/A
I think this is a great organization that really does makes an effort to extend its benefits to others and to provide others with opportunities they never imagined having. Many of us in the US take knowing English for granted, and it is an essential language to know in today's world. Being able to bring our knowledge to under privileged children in rural Taiwan will be very rewarding. Through intensive lesson plans, various activities, and interactions, we will hopefully expand their opportunities and inspire them to continue to strive for more knowledge.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
This is be my first time participating in this program, but I am very eager to begin. I know there will be so much to teach as well as to learn from a whole knew culture. It will be a great and rewarding experience.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
If I had to make a change, it would be to extend the length of the program instead of packing many activities into each day.
The summer I spent in Vietnam with ETA4 has been the most rewarding summer I have ever had. What I appreciated most about this program was the way they completely trusted me. Being a student with very little credentials, they gave me an opportunity to teach and impact children in ways I would never had been able to with other programs. They supported me with resources and made sure I was always comfortable and fully equipped to lead a class. I was also given the freedom to tailor my own curriculum and work with other volunteers in creating effective teaching strategies.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the summer of 2010. I saw how ETA4 had affected the lives of students living in Hue. They were so excited to see past teachers and I was amazed with how well they could speak English. They genuinely wanted to learn from us, not only the English language but, about American culture as well as our own lives that we led back in the states.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
have more training seminars and educational tools for the teachers to implement if financial resources permit.
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