After week 1.

After five days at Jesuitas I am finally learning my way around the school, it's big at 2000 pupils, my first day of being shown around by my Tutor Ms. Piedad left me mainly wondering how I'd find any of my classes but everyone is helpful so if I really get myself lost I can generally ask a passing member of staff where the next class on my time table is. I'd say by day three I could for the most part navigate round the parts of the school that I need to.

So, what is teaching in a big Spanish school like? Jesuitas is a semi-private school, so the government pays part of the pupil's fees. In terms of atmosphere and scale it's very much like a large UK comprehensive school, except this goes all the way from primary to Bachillerato (equivalent to A levels). I've observed, assisted and taught at all age levels in the secondary school part of the school, so ESO 1-4 then Bachillerato 1 and 2. This has also been varying ability levels, both in terms of overall class ability and amongst the students in any given class, I was asked by one girl in an ESO 1 class "How long does it take to learn English properly?" My response was "You seem to have learned already." Class sizes are also quite variable, my smallest is 12 and my largest is 40, generally they're around 30 pupils though.

So what are Spanish English Language classes like? Well, noisy for the most part. Spanish school culture seems a fair bit more relaxed and easy going than UK schools, this has its pros and cons, obviously it makes getting pupils on task somewhat time consuming (as well as eventually punishing on your vocal cords) but the atmosphere is also very good natured, rowdy but well-meaning would be a good description I suppose, I've seen very few real examples of genuinely bad behaviour or bullying.

In terms of what I've actually been doing, week one has for the most part been me answering questions about myself, English, and British culture. This has without exception resulted in a look of shock on someone's face when I have explained that I do not watch football or support any football team. I've also had the opportunity to do some actual teaching, mostly lexis and pronunciation work (the halls of Jesuitas now ring to the chant of "Chill out!!!")

The staff have all been very welcoming and helpful, I've chatted about teaching, food, and culture (both in the UK and Spain). I've really enjoyed my first week, getting back into the classroom has been a pleasure, if a rather tiring one (I am working with seven different teachers and 18 different classes, I suspect learning all their names is unlikely).

 I'm hoping to actually get into central Valencia this week and hopefully do some hiking in the nearby mountains at the weekend.