Fulbright ETAs boost English learning at St. John’s Honiara, building skills, culture and US–Solomon ties
HONIARA, Solomon Islands – The U.S. Embassy, through the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Program, brought two English teachers to Saint John Community High School in Honiara to assist local English teachers. The Fulbright ETA Program places Fulbrighters in classrooms abroad to help teach the English language and serve as cultural ambassadors of the United States.
Fulbright ETAs Kyle Aloof and Jasmine Villavicencio recently completed a four-week program teaching English at Saint John Community High School to Forms One and Two students and providing extra English classes for Form Five students. They also shared meaningful cultural experiences with students and staff throughout their time at the school.
“St. John’s Community High School is more than a school; it is a vibrant and welcoming community where I quickly built strong relationships with both staff and students. In just four weeks, I immersed myself in teaching and after-school sessions, strengthening my commitment to student learning, engagement, and meaningful connection,” said Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Kyle Aloof.
As part of their American learning experience, 30 students joined a one-day field trip to visit the Guadalcanal American Memorial, the Japanese Peace Memorial, and the HALO Trust in Henderson. U.S. Embassy Chargé d’affaires P. Daniel O’Hara toured the American Memorial with the students and described the ways Solomon Islanders and U.S. servicemembers supported each other as America and its allies fought to ensure a free and open Pacific. Kitano MandanaPublic Relations Officer Francis Deve explained that the Japanese Peace Memorial commemorates Japanese land and naval forces killed in the 1942-43 campaign. HALO Trust Programme Officer Emma Saunders gave the students a presentation the work that HALO Trust does in Solomon Islands, with funding from the U.S. Department of State, to address the risks of unexploded bombs left over from the war.
The field trip deepened students’ understanding of the shared experience and continuing partnership Solomon Islanders and Americans share. The students learned about U.S.-Solomon Islands cooperation during World War II, the importance of remembrance and reconciliation, and ongoing U.S. efforts to promote peace and safety through unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance and community engagement.
The visit also provided a practical setting for students to practice and improve their English language skills through guided dialogue, question-and-answer sessions, and interactive learning activities with Kyle and Jasmine. This experience enhanced students’ confidence and proficiency in English.
“Before the Fulbright Assistants arrived, English class was something our students endured. After the program, it became something they looked forward to: that single shift from obligation to enthusiasm,” said Saint John’s Community High School Principal Rhoda Brown Pwai, adding “The Fulbright Assistant did not just teach our students. They taught our teachers how to teach differently.”
“My time at St. John’s School was a highly rewarding experience. I valued the opportunity to work with students across multiple levels, from Forms One and Two to the Form Five after-school sessions, where we developed strong and meaningful connections. The embassy field trip was a particular highlight, as many students were able to experience their first trip and demonstrated remarkable enthusiasm and engagement. The experience was mutually impactful and will remain a meaningful highlight of my Fulbright exchange experience,” said Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Jasmine Villavicencio.
The Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Program is part of the United States’ broader commitment to investing in education and youth. By supporting high-quality English instruction, strengthening partnerships with local schools, and expanding opportunities for young people, programs like this help build safer communities, stronger institutions, and more prosperous futures for both the Solomon Islands and the United States.
SOURCE : U.S. Embassy, Honiara
