School Presentations

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Contents

Resources for School Presentations


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Promotional Resources for School Presentations

  • Student Lead Card
  • Student Interest Form for tabling events
  • Promotional Materials for Students and Families List and examples of all sending related promotional materials
  • AFS Videos located on AFS TV (on You Tube) [1]
    • Please be advised that the above website is online, and will not be accessible in all schools with wireless internet access because of blockers. If you would like a DVD copy of the videos you see on AFS TV (specifically "Do You Speak AFS?"), please email sendingmaterials@afs.org.

Best Practices for School Presentations

RESEARCH: Learn about the school

AFS Resources Key Considerations: Has this school hosted or sent AFS participants? Who might already have relationships with the school that could provide a foundation for your interaction with the school? Who could you partner with as you reach out to the school?

  • Look-up school in Global Link to find current and former AFSers, both sending and hosted students. Tip: Include an AFSer in your presentation to make the presentation dynamic.
  • Reach out to local volunteers and regional staff who may have relationships and/or contacts at the school. Tip: Consider partnering with other volunteers as you connect with the school and provide presentations.

School Resources Key Considerations: What level of support is there at this school for study abroad? Do our competitors have a relationship with this school? What is the school schedule and how should I time my visit? Who are the people at the school who might be helpful contacts?

  • Schools have differing policies on study abroad. Policies can be state-wide, district-wide or vary by school. Schools may also have relationships with our competitors and/or offer their own programs.
  • To learn about the school schedule, visit the school and search for the calendar, which typically includes quarter/semesters, breaks, testing schedules, assemblies/pep rallies and other helpful information.
  • Find your AFS Champion! Connecting with the right person at a school makes all the difference. Visit the website for a list of names and contact information for key people, including language teachers and school counselors. You may also identify language or international clubs.

PRESENTATION TYPES: What to offer

Tailor your presentation to the needs and timing of the school as well as the audience. Choose from the following basic formats:

  1. Classroom presentation- Typically 45-90 minutes with 25-35 students. The teacher may offer the entire or a portion of the class-time. You should have a presentation that lasts about 30 minutes, but that can be shortened or lengthened, based on the situation. May include web and projector access. Be sure to have a back-up for last minute changes or technical difficulties.
  2. Assembly- High school assemblies are a gathering of the entire, or a significant portion of the student body, usually in a large area, such as the gym. You may be invited to speak for a quick spotlight, or be given more time.
  3. Materials drop-off- When you are unable to book a formal presentation due to timing or a schools openness, consider taking an Educator Packet to the counseling office, and have a brief and informal conversation.
  4. Additional venues: Counseling Centers (during lunch, after school) and Clubs (AFS Club, language clubs, model UN, student leadership). Find out who is the faculty representative for clubs

Private school considerations:

  • Focus on summer and gap year programs
  • Ask about fairs you could attend to meet with students
  • Morning meeting / tabling

OUTREACH: Make the ask

Your best contact at a school could be who you least expect, so don’t feel limited to reaching out to a select few. A good starting point can be language teachers and the counseling office. You may also try the librarian and principal as well as history and English teachers.

Send an email using the school presentation email template, but make sure to personalize it:

  • Mention your experience with AFS: ‘I am an AFS Volunteer, Returnee, Parent, etc’
  • Share how AFS impacted your life: ‘AFS opened my eyes to the world’
  • Mention hosted/sending students or volunteers who the school may be familiar with
  • Describe the many positive attributes of AFS: ‘AFS is a non-profit international organization, with a 60+ year history. We offer programs in over 40 countries. AFS works toward a more just and peaceful world, through youth exchange’
  • Show flexibility depending on available time and specific audience. Offer to send a sample presentation, so they know what to expect.

Here are some tips, for reaching out via phone:

  • Send an email first, and then follow-up with a call, and just leave a voicemail, referring to the email.
  • If you leave a voicemail, let them know that you will call back in a few days, that may preempt a returned phone call.
  • If you go through a receptionist, be sure to introduce yourself and build a relationship with that person so they can help you the next time.
  • Here are some tips for meeting in-person:
  • Look at school on Google Maps, look at the school map on their website, so you know where to go. * Bring along materials, including Educator Packets – you can order through the wiki. Make sure you have arranged the necessary technology (projector, laptop) ahead of time.
  • Follow proper security protocol at the front desk. Dress appropriately for the school, keeping professionalism in mind.
  • Consider thank-you card or email if school is an important one.

Giving the Presentation

  • Incorporate anecdotes, personal photos, videos, etc (your own, those of and educator, or even of students in the audience)
  • Global educational activities (global quiz, photo quiz, mini language lesson, video / photo analysis, foods from around the world (photo-based guessing and learning game)
  • Intercultural concepts ( iceberg metaphor for culture, lens of perception, the global village, stereotypes versus generalizations, etc)
  • Involving hosted students and/or returnees in presentations
  • Brainstorm of activities for hosted students’ involvement to teach US American culture (“what sort of activities could you involve a foreign exchange student here in (Your Town) to teach her or him about life / the culture here?”)
  • Highlighting specific (target / priority) sending programs
  • Discussion of possible fundraising activities for students

Things to remember as a presenter:

  • They don’t care what you know until they know that you care.
  • Engage multiple learning styles; make it interactive and fun.
  • Don’t oversell, but also don’t sell AFS short.
  • Adapt the presentation for your audience, venue, and time constraints.
  • Don’t get too stressed. Even your poorest presentations will still “hook” students who are really interested / really right for an AFS Study Abroad Program!
  • Remember to mention to leads that they can save $25 off their pre-application fee by using the Promo Code VOLd5Xp9632!

See Also



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May 23 2012
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