BC SCHOOL LIAISON TEACHER
The principal of each participating school must name a specific BC School Liaison Teacher—often the German teacher. There can be no student participation without school involvement and support.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BC SCHOOL LIAISON TEACHER
- Advertise and promote the Exchange Programme.
- Screen, interview, and shortlist applicants.
- Conduct individual interviews with the entire family of each BC Exchange student to ensure suitability.
- Ensure applications and documentation are typed, keeping 1 copy and sending 4 identical copies to BCHLA.
- Ensure that all school staff members are informed of the arrival of the German Exchange students and the departure of the BC students, well in advance.
- Serve as liaison for the BC Exchange students, their families, and BCHLA.
- Assist the BC and German Exchange students to prepare personal course timetables for their stay in BC.
- Ensure that timetable changes are monitored. Course credits will be given to German Exchange students, and a report card generated for their time here in BC.
- Meet with the German Exchange students every week to ensure the Exchange is progressing well—and to pre-empt any difficulties.
- Mail letters of introduction and school and course information to German Exchange students well before their arrival in Canada.
- Ensure the school registration of incoming German students prior to June.
- Mail report cards (4 copies) to BCHLA by February 15, for distribution to the German Exchange authorities.
- Mediate any challenges that arise and advise BCHLA.
It is critical that German Exchange students always have free access to the BC School Liaison Teacher, the BCHLA Exchange Coordinator, and the German Exchange authorities . . . to talk about concerns, problems, and successes during the Exchange.
GERMAN EXCHANGE STUDENTS IN BC SCHOOLS
School attendance is mandatory during the BC – GERMANY STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAMME, as is completion of all class assignments. NO EXCEPTIONS.
German Exchange students must enroll in and attend classes as do their BC Exchange partners. They may not “audit” courses or simply “shadow” their Exchange partners.
In the German school system, students must pass almost every subject in a given year if they are to be promoted to the next grade. Consequently, many of the German students are expected to catch up after the Exchange on work missed while they were in BC, and are willing to do so to benefit from the Exchange experience. Regardless, German Exchange students must participate fully in school here in BC. This is an academic programme.
The BC School Liaison Teacher provides support to both the BC and the German students during the Exchange period. This teacher is expected to welcome the German Exchange students, assist with their course selection, and meet weekly to discuss any concerns they may have during the Exchange about the school or home situation.
BC schools are required to provide two copies of the German Exchange student’s report card to BCHLA. They will be forwarded by BCHLA to the German Exchange authorities.
MEET WITH YOUR BC AND GERMAN STUDENTS AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE TO DISCUSS TIMETABLE PLANNING FOR BOTH STUDENTS!
GERMAN EXCHANGE STUDENTS MUST BE ENROLLED IN YOUR SCHOOL!
