So much more than English

I wanted to write about a different side to my experience in the school. Obviously we are here to teach English and so the bulk of my classes have been centred around grammar/vocabulary/pronunciation etc. but I feel so lucky to have been able to witness so much more than core language in some classes.

Unlike what I know back at home, or at least certainly compared to the school I went to, "project classes" are extremely important here. These are ongoing lessons lasting most of the term, if not longer, in which the students work on a variety of different projects and themes. When I first received my timetable I didn't have a clue how I was going to fit into these classes seeing as they aren't taught or assessed in English and I worried I would just be a spare part. How wrong I was!? In some ways they have turned out to be my favourite lessons.

Every wednesday morning I am with 1ESOA/B Proyecto and it has been fascinating to watch the class work. Firstly I joined as they were finishing off a project in creating their own sandwich bags and they were sat there learning how to sew. I thought this was absolutely brilliant (and also impressive because I don't know how to do it myself) and it was so enjoyable seeing them all so focussed on doing a good job. My role was to give them vocabulary linked to the task so by the end of the class the board was full of the likes of "needle and thread",  "backstitch", "thimble" etc. I have to say this was a challenge at points because I realised I didn't even have the specific vocabulary in English  let alone when they were asking me in Spanish. But part of the reason I have enjoyed these lessons so much is the amount of vocabulary I have learnt in Spanish. They gave me the nickname of "Alicia Translate" rather than Google and I was there having words fired at me to give them on the spot so it has tested me and also allowed me to learn. I really felt so useful and I have been amazed how much they have taken on board and remembered. I have kids see me in the corridor and say "Alicia, Alicia thread a needle" just to show how proud they are to remember.

We have also worked on a recylcing project. The class will be making a trip to the town hall to speak with the enviroment minister to discuss recycling in the town and interview them about their role and responsibility. Obviously this will all  be done  in Spanish and they have prepared their own interview questions, but we have translated them together into English.  The class have been so invested in the project and their discussions and opinions on such a big topic as the enviroment have been so interesting to hear.

What I love most about these type of classes (and this is just one example, I have  been in others looking at other equally as broad topics) is how much they offer for general life. I don't really remember opportunities to develop so many skills in school lessons as these types of classes offer. Working towards a final goal, by means of these projects,  is something they will have to do all throughout school, at university if they choose to go and of course in jobs, so I really admire the fact it is introduced at such an early age. I also love the content of the projects they work on. The students are encouraged to discuss really relevant issues and I think this develops them in such a broader way. English hasn't been the focus of these lessons, the teacher herself is a science teacher, but for them to have learnt so much vocabulary is a bonus. In many ways I believe they have learnt more language in this setting than in some of their English lessons becauase it is much more contextualised and relevant to an on going process.

I  have really really enjoyed these classes and taken a lot away from them. I will miss this particular group a lot!