India 101: Tamil Nadu, 1970-1972, TESL and Nutrition Training

By Helen Kott and Stuart Blackburn April 21, 2022

On July 1, 1970, thirty-four Peace Corps trainees left Los Angeles, bound for India,  and  two-year teaching assignments in the southern state of Tamil Nadu.

Earlier this group had gathered in San Diego for a week-long orientation, consisting of health reviews and assimilation to hot weather.  We stayed for some days in an immigrant workers’ camp in El Centro (where it was very hot!) and then had the cross-cultural experience of an overnight stay with a Mexican family in Mexicali.

We then flew across the Pacific, stopping in Honolulu, Guam, Hong Kong and Bangkok, finally landing in a very hot New Delhi at 2 am in the morning.  We were taken to a hotel, spent a few days there, given a sightseeing tour of famous places in the capital and attended the 4th of July celebration at the American Embassy.  

A long 30 hour plus train ride took us south to Madras (now Chennai), then on to Bangalore (now  Bengaluru) where we were to spend 3 months training for our jobs, learning how to teach English, while also learning Tamil and engaging in cultural studies. The Regional Institute of English was in charge of our teacher training, Tamil was taught by several instructors, and we learned about Indian culture, including the Indian National anthem.  

Included in our training was a two week homestay with a local family for each volunteer to help orient us to the local food and customs. And practice our Tamil such as it was.  To further help us prepare for our eventual assignments, Peace Corps arranged for us to visit sites of volunteers already in the field, so we could see or imagine what to expect.The last two weeks of our 3 month in-country training were spent in Trichy (Trichinopoly), where we lived at the Aristo Hotel and  practice taught at St. Angela’s Basic Training School.

At the end of this period the selection process took place.  We were evaluated on language proficiency, technical ability, cross cultural adjustment, ability to function in the new environment and the ability to recognize and solve problems.  

On September 23, 1970 twenty-one volunteers were officially enrolled in the Peace Corps and assigned  to work in Basic Training Schools throughout the state of Tamil Nadu.  Our job was to teach the students (high school graduates) how to teach English.

 

Volunteers site assignments were as follows:

India 101 Volunteers and Site Assignments 1970-1972

These are the first assigned sites.  Some volunteers were reassigned 

• Stephen (Steve) Markham Abel,  Govt. BTS, Theroor, Kanya Kumari Dist.
• Ronald (Ron)Anthony Barbur, CSI BTS, Batlagundu, Madurai Dist.
• Stuart H. Blackburn, Govt. BTS, Melur, Madurai Dist.
• Ray R. Coletta, CSI BTS, Pudukkottai, Trichy District
• Jeanne DeSchepper, Govt. BTS, Tiruppapuliyur, South Arcot Dist.
• Edward (Ted) C. Ferriter, Govt. BTS, Ranipet, North Arcot District
• Anita K. Georgiade, Lady Wellington’s BTS, Triplicane, Madras
• Lois J. Grospitz, All Saint’s BTS, Puthur, Trichy District
• Beverly Ann Joseph, Capron Hall BTS, Madurai
• Helen Kott, St Theresa’s BTS, Madurai
• Susan Maastricht, Seven Dolours BTS, Dindigul, Madurai Dist.
• Eric Von Mueller, Govt BTS, Mettur Dam, Salem Dist.
• Antoinette (Tony) Strobino, Govt. BTS, Walajabad, Chinglelput Dist.
• Pam Taylor, Bethlehem BTS, Ootacammund, Nilgiris Dist.
• Carol Joan Vering, CSI BTS, Tirumangalam, Madurai Dist.
• Rose Vickerman, TELS BTS, Usilampatti, Madurai, Dist.
• Judi Wing, Govt. BTS, Coimbatore

Twenty-one volunteers of India 101, with Tamil language teachers, volunteers from other groups and Peace Corps staff. Trichinopoly, September 1970