Farewell Valencia!

Well what a month it has been! I’m feeling very bittersweet. I’m now home and glad to be back. Yesterday's journey home was very long. I’m exhausted, sad and realise how much I’m going to miss everything that has happened this month. Now I must adapt back to the life back in Wales and the reverse culture shock and uncertainty of what's next.

This month has been a huge learning curve, full of insight and discovery about myself. I’m taking back with me lots of invaluable experiences and ideas. I’m very glad to have been a part of this programme and am leaving with no regrets.  

I’ve learnt a lot more about life as an English secondary school teacher here in Spain and the highs and lows that come with the job. I’m very lucky to have had an access all areas look inside a semi-private school in Valencia. I have been able to follow the English lessons of my teachers Katy and Inma. I absolutely take my hat off to them and how busy their work lives are. Despite the hectic schedule they both follow they always made time for me to observe them, assist them and teach their classes. They made time at the end of each lesson to check if I wanted to teach any of their classes and what I wanted to do from the textbook and fitted it around what their classes needed to learn and cover. It has been nice to watch their rapport and energy with their classes and being given a chance to experience the students they work with day in and out.

I won’t deny that I did want a bit more freedom with what I could teach and the materials I could use and could have had a few more opportunities to teach. However, they had a very supportive nature and didn’t want to push me completely out my comfort zone. The curriculum is unfortunately very textbook-based and grammar heavy. However, don’t let the textbooks dampen your creativity as an ESL teacher. I tried my best in my lessons to subtly drop games and more interactive activities into the mix and the teachers and students seemed to enjoy this on the whole. Please, please don’t be afraid to try out new ideas and take small steps outside of the textbook status quo. The students at the end of the day really do benefit from learning English in a more practical way and it's really worthwhile to get them talking as much as you can while you're there!

 I also can't emphasize enough how much I loved teaching year 6 primary. It was such a nice age group to have the opportunity to work with. These classes gave me a great chance to be much more creative with games, songs and lots of other activities. I also got to teach the same lesson three times, so really developed a good sense of what worked well and ways to develop. I also got on really well with the class teacher Carmen and the trainee teacher Alba. Both of whom were incredibly friendly. I loved the conversations we had and getting to know them both. The atmosphere in the primary classroom felt very different and made me feel comfortable and appreciated. I look forward to keeping in touch with the both of them. I was also incredibly grateful for my leaving gift from all the teachers. They got me a customised teacher’s mug which was a thoughtful gesture and a gift I will cling onto with pride.

 I am really going to miss my classes and the wonderful qualities and challenges that came with each. Just as I was teaching each class more and more and developing rapport it is time to leave. I will also miss my school routine. I will miss my school lunches, the teachers and the students constantly greeting me inside and outside of school. Finally, I will miss everyone who has also been a part of this project. I have forged some long lasting friendships and have really learnt a lot by talking to each and every person. Thank you all for the adventures, laughter, jokes, conversations and memories we’ve shared this month. For instance, Ed’s constant comparison of the Spanish lifestyle to Gloucester!

It hasn’t all been plain sailing living in a very small apartment and sharing a tiny bedroom. However, I can’t begin to express how incredibly lucky we’ve been to get on like a house on fire and to all have supported each other through and through. We have had moments of hysteria and real highlights. I literally couldn’t have asked for a better roommate. Jody, you have been the most patient, calm and supportive person I know. I know we’ve both learnt a lot about compromise and how tolerant we can be. In essence, it’s been a pretty spiritual journey. Also thank you Jody for teaching me how to breathe properly in yoga and the many other joys mindfulness can bring. You have taught me a lot and have been a real role model.

 Now to round off with my final thoughts. This experience has made me a lot more confident teaching large groups of teenagers. I have a much clearer idea of the ages I enjoy teaching and how to manage each age group. I got to see and do lots in Valencia including the Biopark, the beach, Jardines Del Turia, the old city and have enjoyed tapas, paella and Agua de Valencia. The weather has been truly glorious on the whole and the people in the city have been friendly. It has been great to learn more about Valencian culture and all about Las Ffallas. I just wish perhaps the 15 of us, who were spread out, could have had more opportunities to meet-up and share experiences each week.

I’ve really learnt that if I put my mind to something and stay calm that I can do it. This month has been a real test of being adaptable, considerate and patient and communal living. But it has reaffirmed the joys of living with others and helping each other. I have been able to cope with new and often times challenging situations with living and working abroad. I am incredibly appreciative to have had a network of support throughout and have never felt alone once. I am taking back with me more self-confidence, more experience and growth. I am taking back new found friendships and lots of new ideas and classroom management techniques. I can’t wait to work for UKLC this summer. A big thank you to Carolyn and UKLC, Schola and Eramus for making this experience happen.  

Sending lots of love and well wishes to the next lot and I look forward to hearing how you all get on. I will be thinking of you all this month.

I will now leave you with some photos of some great memories I've made.