The second week of November brought an English Club meeting that focused on Día de los Muertos and aimed to introduce students to Mexican culture’s presence in the United States. ETA Emma Barnes gave a short presentation about the holiday and described some of its most distinguished traditions, including decorated skulls and the making of oferendas to honor deceased loved ones. She also discussed American’s use of languages other than English – particularly Spanish in the south and southwest. Her students were shocked to learn that over 40 million Spanish speakers currently live in the United States!

After the presentation, Emma provided skull templates and markers and asked students to try to decorate them in the style of Día de los Muertos. The students got really into it and within minutes were doing their own research on the origins and different ways to decorate the skulls.

Emma is always looking for occasions to teach her students about America’s vast cultural diversity and this lesson was a great way to meet that end. The combination of cultural education and creative activity meant the meeting was a big success for both Emma and her students.

Emma Barnes is currently teaching at SMAN 5 Padangsidimpuan, North Sumatra