Susmita Giri is a secondary level English Language teacher at SOS Hermann Gmeiner School in Surkhet. She has extensive experience in assessment, research and developing reading and writing projects for students of varying age groups. She primarily focuses on integrating innovative strategies for second language teaching and learning curricula.. She volunteers as a language teacher and storyteller at American Corner Surkhet, where she teaches English to middle- aged local entrepreneurs, women and young students from different parts of Birendranagar. 

IVLP Impact Award Project:  Stories of Karnali’s English Teachers: Aspire to Achieve   

The project transforms secondary level English language teaching through an innovative, interactive and engaging teaching approach called “Integrating South Asian Parliamentary Debate into their English Curriculum.” The project training will include interactive workshops and practical sessions to introduce the teachers to the concept, format, and educational benefits of South Asian Parliamentary Debate. By integrating this innovative approach, teachers can foster English proficiency, critical thinking, communication skills, and active engagement among their students. 

“To create an impactful learning experience in this digital age where students have instant access to any information, teachers need to be better prepared, well-resourced, and able to offer engaging learning activities.” - Susmita Giri 

IVLP Exchange Experience  

Susmita participated in the IVLP Project: Education in the Digital Age, organized by the U.S. Department of State and FHI 360, in partnership with Cleveland Council on World Affairs, Global Ties Kalamazoo, Michigan Council for Citizen Diplomacy, and WorldChicago.  

Susmita's exchange experience led to the development of her project: “I had an opportunity to get hands-on experience on how a teacher can significantly impact the students’ learning. For instance, I visited Kalamazoo as a part of our program and met a group of students who were taking advanced journalism led by Tisha Pankop at Loy Norrix High school in Kalamazoo. As a part of their journalism class, Ms. Tisha established a real learning platform for the students by creating Knight Life magazine, the school newspaper, which covers a wide range of news stories, articles, editorials, interviews and illustrations. In our school environment, we place a strong emphasis on memorization and heavily rely on textbooks, discarding the value of fostering authentic, hands-on learning. Therefore, I believe that integrating ‘South Asian Parliamentary Debate’ in the secondary level English learning will certainly create a perpetuating impact on both students and teachers. Students will learn English language, debating skills and research skills in the process of doing South Asian Parliamentary Debate. Similarly, teachers will be equipped with an innovative tool to make their class more engaging and impactful.” 

U.S. Communities Visited  

Washington DC, Chicago, IL; East Lansing, MI; Kalamazoo, MI; Cleveland, OH 

Country: Nepal 

Click here to go back to the IVLP Impact Awards Main page