Some lessons have been taught

Almost the mid point for me and the students are sitting their mid-term exams. This is fragmenting my timetable a little but it’s all part of the experience. Since my last post, I have taught a good many more lessons and I’ve recorded some highlights here.

My first active/passive lesson was not especially successful but with feedback from the teachers in the school, I was able to develop a much more effective lesson (for the observation) that I taught later in the week.

I actually enjoyed teaching countable/uncountable nouns to 1^st ESO today –the students were studying the vocabulary of food so to begin the lesson, I filled 2/3 of the board with their suggested vocabulary items (checking pronunciation, especially with cognates, along the way). Then I provided some sentences on the board with gaps to fill with some/a(n)/any which we completed as a whole class. I handed the chalk (and quite a lot of control) to one of the students so that the class could identify the countable nouns in our vocabulary bank. This was brilliant because it uncovered problems with yogurt and coffee and allowed us to explore countable cups but uncountable quantities of ground coffee! Armed with this conceptual understanding, the students attacked their student book grammar exercises with confidence leaving us to deal with ‘fruit’ in feedback since las frutas means that fruit is countable in Spanish.

My native speaker status has me delivering some mini lessons on pronunciation within lessons taught by the school-teachers. There’s nothing like a good tongue twister, making silly sounds and pulling silly faces to get a group of 30 teenagers to laugh with (at) you. Mind you, they laugh less when you point out that you want them to mimic the faces and sounds.

After the exams, the 2 Bach students are going to look at some poetry. They have a new teacher who has started this week and who wants to take them away from the relative safety of their textbooks and grammar exercises. This is a different approach to the ‘authentic materials’ lesson but the aim is to develop vocabulary and get the students thinking about, and manipulating, the language in ways new to them. Of course, as a former school English teacher I’m looking forward to sharing some literature with these students but also well aware of the challenges and potential pitfalls of upcoming lessons!

Final reflections

As the saying goes better late than never! I’ve been back home for just over a week and had some time to reflect on the month that’s been. Firstly I want to say how grateful I am to have had this opportunity and send a big thank you to everyone who’s made it happen.

The last month in Moncada / Valencia was an immensely valuable learning experience. There were highs and lows all of which has made me more able to tackle the unfamiliar with greater confidence.

Before going out to Spain I had some vague ideas of what I hoped to get out of it. Gaining more hands on experience in the classroom and working with young learners were the big ones.

What I didn’t anticipate or give much importance to was just how much of a cultural ‘induction’ I would have. Working in an authentic Spanish environment and interacting with the students, staff and parents provided unique insights on the similarities and differences between British and Spanish culture. I still can’t quite get my head around 2 hr & 45 min lunches but oh well.

I’ve met some lovely people in the form of my fellow teachers who I hope to keep in touch with. The wonderful students at Dominicas really made this experience what it was. They were enthusiastic, excitable (maybe too much at times :-) and just good fun to teach.

It’s true that I had half formed thoughts about working in Spain before going to Valencia. A month of sunshine seems to have worked wonders as I’m now seriously considering going back!  

 

 

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.

First week, and a brief lesson in religious sensitivity...

So, this is my fourth day in Valencia and I already feel like I never want to go home! It's beautiful here; dazzlingly blue skies, palm trees and orange trees everywhere. stunning architecture and, of course, the mountains in the distance which are so picturesque they look almost cliche. The food is great (and cheap! And the booze is practically free!), the people are unbelievably friendly and, though I've only spent three days there, I love my school.

A massive thanks to Laura, Mampa (hope I've spelled that right) and Alicia from the Schola program for giving such a warm welcome on Sunday. Nothing cheers you up after a late arrival and a bumpy flight like a massive table of food! And thanks especially for providing me gluten free products - that was very sweet. After our introduction we all got our first look at our Moncada-based home-for-a-month. It's fantastic! I hadn't been entirely sure what to expect but this has definitely exceeded any of my hopeful imaginings.

My first few days at my school, Sagrada Familia, have been so wonderful. There has been a rather overwhelming input of faces and names (how is it I'm bad with both? Is it not normally one or the other?), but everyone has been very welcoming and friendly. I am working with two teachers, Olga and Blanca, and they are both too lovely for words. Mostly I have been observing and supporting, but I taught my first full lesson today! It was... an experience. Ha. Well, it was a great deal more chaotic than anything I experienced with CELTA, which was partly my fault (I think Iam  had forgotten a lot about planning and teaching techniques...), and partly due to it being a class of twenty-something YLs with a lot of energy. That said, I think I learned a lot from it - I will be teaching the same lesson to a different class tomorrow and I have loads of ideas for improving it - and the kids really seemed to have fun. They especially loved my enthusiastic drilling! And I must admit, you get a nice little thrill when you're leaving the room and you can still hear a dozen voices behind you repeating a phrase you just taught, "Don't worry about it!"

I think the biggest challenge is going to be the older groups. They were a bit of a shock! Their level of English is amazingly good, but they sure seem like they'd rather be almost anywhere else in the world. It was a nightmare trying to get them to stay in their seats, forget about working! Like wild dogs, I sense they could smell my fear. I'm undeterred, however, and even now I am plotting ways to win them over...

Being the non-religious type, I was a little anxious to be teaching at a Christian school (they're actually very relaxed about it, for the record). So, on a humorous and related note from an earlier lesson... Olga asked me to explain a word the students were struggling with: disposable. Yeah, I can do this, I thought, feeling confident.
"Okay," I said, picking a book up from the table. "I don't need this anymore, I don't want it." I strode over to the bin and dropped the book in. "It's disposable."
I turned back to the class, eagerly anticipating that wonderful penny-has-dropped look on the faces of my class... Nope. Olga's face was a picture, a mix of horror, amusement and disbelief.
"You just threw away the bible."
Fortunately, a few moments of shocked silence (and several minutes of very British apologising) later, everyone saw the funny side. But, as advice for any aspiring teachers working for the first time in a Christian school in Spain: Their bibles look kinda like condensed dictionaries at a very brief glance.

British Guilt

Have had somewhat of a stuttering start to life in the school, while in my first “bach” class the teacher asked if anyone had any questions for me, one student (looking altogether thoroughly unimpressed with me and refusing to meet my eye), asked me very pointedly “why does everyone else have to learn English, but the English don't learn any other languages?” Tried to reassure him that it was the Government's fault, or the British empire's, and attempted to unleash some of my Spanish at him (courtesy of duolingo) to demonstrate that I was at least trying to learn. Still looking thoroughly unsure, he returned to his seat. There weren't any questions from the rest of the class....

So imagine my relief when the 1^st of ESO students asked me who my favourite football team was, if I had any brothers or sisters, what Spanish I knew, and if I liked the food! Altogether all my other introductions have gone smoothly, at the moment I am pretty much just observing: reading out a few passages from a textbook being my only hard graft.

Still, the teachers are all very welcoming and I had a lovely walk around the riverbed park earlier, cannot wait to ride a bike down the entire length (apparently you can hire at one end and drop off at the other). The flat is lovely, and the train ride mildly scenic, have caught myself on more than one occasion staring wishfully at the mountains (a team hike is in the pipeline). Just off now to plan my first lesson, have been thrown in the shallow end with “Comparative Adjectives” while Chris has been doing conditionals and the present perfect continuous, so I'm counting myself lucky.

All in all looking forward to what the future holds. I'll update with pictures when I find somewhere to get the film developed! ¡Hasta luego!

If I were in Valencia, what would I teach?

3am is an early start to any day. It’s even earlier when you’re heading off to teach in a country of whose language you have only the slightest grasp. Despite arriving a little weary, the warm welcome (figuratively and literally) was wonderful. I was especially gladdened by the intention that we would be fed first and receive our induction information second. After settling into the accommodation quickly, Alfie and I responded to the summons from Caro to head down to Moncada in search of tapas and something to drink. So began my faltering though successful attempts to purchase things through the local language and I even managed to avoid buying anything to eat that once had a face!

On Monday morning, my alarm rang at 6.30am. I had just begun to enjoy leaving for work in Wales with the sun low in the sky but this early start meant leaving in the dark. After arriving at Parque Colegio Santa Ana, Alicia introduced me to Salud (the teacher in charge of my placement) and in turn, Salud introduced me to Maria and Maria (with whom I would be working). I also met a teacher from Spain who is working in Cambridge and has brought a group of A level students to Valencia for half-term.

A blur of classes and unfamiliar names (both Valencian and Spanish) later and somehow it was already 5pm. I was tired but only when mt brain registered that the day was over and I was on my way home. Sitting on the metro seat was a relief when I realised that this was going to be the longest I would sit down since arriving at school! Maria and Maria wanted me to introduce myself to the classes and I had explained where I was from and the different parts of the UK, six times. With the class who were learning about places in the town (museum, gallery, etc), we showed them pictures of these places in Cardiff. I showed clips of rugby world cup highlights in an effort to persuade the students that rugby is better than football and that they should stop worrying about Mr Neville. One of the Marias and Salud spent their Erasmus year in Cardiff and are enjoying catching up with how the city has changed in advance of their Easter break revisiting.

Day two was a little shorter but no less crazy with some more new classes and some spontaneous teaching – impromptu British geography and history for a 4^th ESO group; conditionals (with assistance from some of the visiting pupils from Cambridge) with another 4^th ESO group; and conditionals, wishes and regrets along with grammar analysis for the 2 Bach class. This finished up with lunch with Salud and some of the other teachers before my early finish – early in Spanish terms, it was 3pm! The accommodation in Masies is a bit of a commute but it's nice to have time to read a little on the metro and have some "English-only" time in my head at the end of the day.

The first few days

Hi all,

                We arrived in Moncada on Sunday afternoon, and as Will mentioned below, we were taken to Schola for a presentation, and most importantly, lunch!! Laura, who owns Schola, had a lovely spread prepared which we were so grateful to arrive to! She then drove me and Vicky to our accommodation, which turns out to be Ed and Marcelo’s old place. After posting a picture on FB of the leaflets left behind with the label ‘For the next teacher’ I discovered that I’m living in Marcelo’s old room. So far I have discovered a lone sock and I am afraid of what I may find next!

We met Nacho who has been very hospitable and shown us around. He has some interesting stories about his ex-roommates which Vick and I can’t wait to hear… We also met Lara, who is so well behaved and playful. I love her! Sunday evening was spent eating and drinking in a little place in Moncada with Carolyn.

                Day one arrived and I was excited to get on with everything. The six of us (Katherine, Donna, Vicky, Roísin and Anna) met up at Schola, to be briefed on a project called CEFIRE. Most of our time has been allocated to this, which sadly means less teaching hours. We were given the details of the projected by Oanda who is leading it. It’s a course targeting 30 primary school teachers, aiming to develop their classroom skills. It centres on the communicative approach and how teachers can improve themselves by using these principles. We are starting with a pub quiz today and from tomorrow we will be helping the teachers with their fluency by having 1-1’s slots with them. I think we can learn a lot from sitting in the seminars and talking to these teachers who have a wealth of experience. We had a break in this session, which in Spain, really means a break. Nothing like England, where a break means you get to fill a kettle, boil it, and then there is no time to sit and drink your tea. We were treated by Oanda and Laura to some great coffee, fresh orange juice and some croissants which Senior Julio brought us from the local bakery (how amazing is he!). I’m loving the laid back attitude here.

                After the session Donna and I decided to head into Valencia on the train with Roísin, who left us at the Angél Guimera, whilst we made our way to the Colón station in the city centre. We went for a little explore and ended up doing some shopping! The stuff is so much cheaper here, I would have paid twice the price back in England. Self-control was very hard L

                Day two has been interesting so far. Donna and I are sharing two classes on Tuesday mornings. The students are all adults, preparing for their PET/CET exams. This should be interesting as the exam tests speaking and listening, and the lessons are focused on preparing the students. Every session one of us has to teach whilst the other goes out with Belén (who teaches the class normally) to do mock exams with the students. We should hopefully start teaching next week after observing the classes this week.

                There’s a strange occurrence in my head. Since I arrived, I have attempted to talk to the Spanish people in Portuguese, my mind has even started thinking in Portuguese. Which is really strange because I’ve lived in England since I was 10yrs, and everything I do is in English, even thinking! I called my mum this morning and explained how I was getting on in Portuguese. She was in shock as she’s not heard me speak the language in years! I hope by the end of the four weeks my brain will have sorted itself out! I keep telling myself the aim is to learn Spanish, not revert back to Portuguese!

                Well I’m off for a coffee at some local place, will write more soon!

Hasta luego!!