learning, community, ownership: a prescription for ageing well · your neighbourhood in montreal ....
TRANSCRIPT
S.P.E.A.K. Seniors Practice English and
Know-How: A MILR Inter-generational Initiative
Presented by:
Nancy Grayson and Carolynn Rafman McGill Institute for Learning in Retirement
Meeting of the Minds,
Portland Maine,
October 25, 2004
McGill Institute for Learning in
Retirement (MILR)
100% peer learning, member-led
850 members
Under umbrella of McGill’s Centre for Continuing Education
Downtown Montreal campus
Our front door
An intergenerational idea
Members coaching international students
One-on-one mentoring
Presentations to an Intensive English class
International students could participate in a MILR study group
WHY: General Needs of
Retirees
continued activity
intellectual stimulation
social interaction
maintaining skills
contributing to society
HOW: Doing the groundwork
Endorsement: MILR Council, Continuing Education and McGill University Senate
Involve key people: ‘The’ committee, decision makers, recruits
Spread the news: poster & questionnaire
Talk it up
WHERE, WHAT & WHEN:
Evolution & issues
1. Classroom presentations
2. Conversation partners
3. Scheduling & a place to meet
4. Matching generations
5. Location, location, location
6. Nurturing SPEAK
Introducing yourself: Outline
for classroom presentations
Where you’re from
Your experience coming here
Career/work experience – how you
chose it or it chose you!
Field(s) of interest
Your neighbourhood in Montreal
Matching conversation partners
Students mostly from China, Korea, Japan and South American countries
Level 5 Special Intensive English in their 20s
On the spot requests
Scheduling appointments
SPEAKers: 4 Bios
Frances: volunteers in MILR and as guide at historical museum, taught elementary school for immigrant children
Harry & Ann: worked in Taiwan when foreigners were known as ‘white devils’
Carole: taught in rural U.S. school, single, no children
Otto: businessman interested in international affairs and high tech industry
WHY SPEAKers agreed to be
presenters and/or partners :
Wanted to help someone – knew how hard it is to be an immigrant
Wanted to compare past experience with current generation
Filled a gap to meet generation she hadn’t had contact with in many years
Update on changes in Asia
Benefits to SPEAKers :
Satisfaction of meeting young people choosing Montreal and McGill
Like challenge of exchanging political views
Opportunity to talk about myself with captive audience and a 10th floor view !
Update on fashion trends: Britney Spears
Intelligent one-on-one conversation
Learn about another culture
Fulfilled mothering instinct
Share wisdom of what we are
On campus with James McGill
Benefits to MILR and its members
More visibility within host university
Opportunity to contribute to community: Inter-generational / -cultural / -departmental
Members enjoy informal structure
Satisfaction: communicating between cultures and generations
MILR Tips
Start small
Recruit enthusiastic people
Find convenient location
Provide guidelines
Nurture SPEAKers
Personal experience
“Talking to these young people
helped me realize that I have. by this
stage of life, accumulated some
wisdom which it is a pleasure to
share”
Nancy
“Discussing Chinese and Japanese history and culture firsthand.”
Carolynn
For further information
McGill Institute for Learning in Retirement
www.mcgill.ca/milr
tel. (514) 398-8234