Erasmus+ Leaders in Language October 2022

  So the whole Valencia trip has come to the end. I have to say I am so grateful that I got to meet so many nice and super sweet course mates. The paella cooking workshop, the meals we had together and the flamingo dance. Thank you UKLC and the Erasmus programme for all of these.  I'm so grateful that my tutors were all super nice to me and Mitchell. The school was nice, staff all so kind, my students so lovely. I couldn't ask for anything better! I will miss my friends that I've made during this programme, and I am sure to see them later again for the reunion <3  Love, Kengseng

So, that's it.  Done and dusted.  Who knows where the time goes?  What an unreal experience. I am so thankful. I will treasure these memories forever. This wasn't just a big career progression for me, but it has also helped my personal development beyond words.  I'm very sad, but also very optimistic. Waves of positivity soothe the ebbs of negativity. Let's keep this energy, this *Spanish Passion*, going forward.  Anything is possible. Here's to more freewheelin'.  Best of luck to everyone. Can't wait to see where you all end up.  See youse all very soon........ - Mitch, over and out xox

Buenas Tardes Chicos! 🌜🌠 Yesterday was the last day of many things in León 🖤🇪🇸... morning greetings, being called 'Shower', 'Shabba', 'Chanel' (😅), the sound of the bell and tight hugs from my Year 3s. Last days are always bittersweet, the ending of my time at Carmelitas would have marked the perfect beginning. Why is it that when you leave, things begin to get better? 😕One teacher brought a bag of apples in from his apple tree at home and offered me one 🍏☺️Another, who I see as my Spanish mum, made me a hazelnut coffee and it was 'muy delicioso!' 😍 In many ways, I left my mark on the school through my smile and my dedication to support every child I possibly could despite the hardships I faced. I only ever put my students first in these 4 weeks. My mentor reached out to me on Thursday and wanted me to take a Year 4 class and teach them about Minibeasts, which I did for my observation with the other Year 4 group. 🌳🦋🕷🐌 I was happy to do it be...

Had the most amazing day today !! I gave all the teachers a wee card and some gifts to show how thankful I am of how they've treated me. Despite this placement being a very tough and overwhelming experience, the warm atmosphere created by the teachers has really helped me get through. They created a feeling like we're all in this together !!  Now, because it was so good here... I really wanna come back 😭😭😭 I have been asking the teachers loads of questions, trying to pick up some leads and some hints. The general consensus is: it's not going to be easy (a big f**k off to Brexit btw). There's gonna be lots of hoops to jump through, it makes my head swim even thinking about it... Is it even possible?  Of course it's possible, but it's gonna be tough. But this reminds me of two things that I have learned during this experience. One: nothing is gonna come to you, you gotta make it happen. Time and time again I have been proactive in this experience to...

Can't believe this is our last week!  This week I have to teach students about circulatory system and how our hearts work. At the very beginning, I was thinking of just drawing a heart shape on the board and talk about it. However, last week, I saw a toy heart in Tiger and it changed my mine. Of course, I did consider for a few days (I guess) before buying it. I asked myself, "does it worth buying and only use it for two lessons even though it is not super expensive? Probably not. "  Nonetheless, I bought it as I think it will be more interesting and exciting for students to touch and feel it (contract and relax) rather than simply seeing it on the board or a slide. And today's lesson proved that it was a right thing to do! Students liked it and they seemed to get the idea of blood flows when the heart contracts/relaxes by pressing the toy heart. The science teacher was pleased about it and I was glad that I bought it at the end.  I said it was Elliot's heart, alt...

 Been thinking a lot about balance lately. Before we came to Valenica, I had it in my mind that I was here to work. And that's it. I would perfect my tools of the EFL trade, then get out into the world to find a job.  So, I was wrong.  I've learned that experiences like these are not all about work. Living in a foreign country is also about experiencing new things, travelling and having fun with friends. Also, work has been bloody hard. I really didn’t expect it to be this hard, but the Spanish weans are really draining. Everyday has been very overw helming. I go home and my head is spinning. All work and no play makes Mitch a dull boy, so a wee tinto de verano on the beach after work goes down a treat.  This has been an important lesson for me, someone who can get a bit carried away in work and career. Where does this get you if you’re not happy and relaxed? I'm going to strive to work less in the future, and prioritise rest and recuperation, whilst still aimi...

Hola! Lately, well today, I feel optimistic about my final week in León! 😊 We had a tour of León and we went inside the Cathedral! Very Gothic and tranquil😍  My  experience here has been a total roller coaster. A roller coaster where I'm strapped in tightly and I can't escape. Do I wish that my experience was better? Sì! Everyday I wish that my mentor was easier to work with and that she would allow me to take centre stage in the classroom. I wish that we had coffee and lunch outings too. It's close to week 4 and I guess this still remains an unanswered prayer. Do I have time to dwell on this though? No, I have no more tears to give nor am I afraid of her intimidating nature. So with reference to Bon Jovi's song 'Livin' on a prayer', (the last song I heard in a Tapas Bar 😅), I've got to hold on to what teaching experience I have and I will use it to the best that I can ❤️ In this moment of reflection, I am amazed at how strong I am for showing up to t...

I can't believe it's the third week here already. I've experienced a lot of highs and lows here - in fact, I have never been so up and down in my life! But right now I feel immensely grateful, content and happy. It's only just hit me this week how incredible this experience really is, it's a once in a lifetime thing and I can't actually believe I'm living this experience. It's been a crazy year for me, I've experienced so much, been to so many new places and created a lifetime of memories. I've been at home for a total of 1 week since July, and since then, this week has been the first time I've had a chance to reflect on everything.  This experience has taught me so much, shown me so much and I have grown as a person more than I could ever have imagined. I really will cherish this experience forever. I started this journey with the intention of it helping me decide if teaching really is for me or not. I have two potential career paths and I w...

Yesterday was the first time I felt a real connection to my students. They were doing a writing exercise about a place they visited. I monitored and read some of their creations. It was really great to get an insight into their wee uncomplicated lives. Up until this point, it felt like I've been fighting with my students rather than teaching them. I spend most of my time trying to force English into their heads and I feel like I get very little "return on my investment", so to speak, because I don't know them.  This creates a question that has been swirling around my head since the start of this journey: why am I here? I don't speak Spanish so I can't get to know the kids; I have momentary fleeting relationships with them; they also don't know me. I don't really have an answer to this question. It feels like the English teachers here can get on plenty fine on their own without the grandeur of a "native English speaker".  However, I'm stil...