Semester in Spain’s Post

The countdown has officially started! As you prepare yourselves for this experience, here are some ways you can make the most of the summer before your teaching journey begins. Do your research 🔎 Familiarize yourself with the city or town you’ll be living in. Look for cultural landmarks, regional food specialties, and anything that might interest you in the area. Create a detailed packing list 🧳 Making a detailed list beforehand, will give you enough time to research what items you will need to purchase before leaving your home and which ones you’ll be able to find at your placement location. Learn or improve your Spanish 🗣️ Preparing yourself for your time abroad by learning the language will help break down barriers during your placement and help you live a fuller, more integrated experience. Connect with fellow assistants 🤝 Reach out to fellow Language Assistants via our Facebook or Instagram group and get to know those who will join you in this journey. #LanguageAssistants #TeachInSpain #TeachAbroad

#GoingPlaces - an insight into the fascinating careers and achievements of our more recent alumnae! Eve left The Maynard in 2019 and headed to The University of Edinburgh to read English Literature. “Back then I thought I might do a law conversion after my degree and possibly train to be a barrister. I didn’t have a clear vision though as I very much believed in just doing what I loved and hoping for the best. I think it’s still a good philosophy to live by - pursuing what you love almost never feels like a wrong decision.” “I graduated a year ago with a First from Edinburgh, having also spent my third year on a study abroad programme at the University of Melbourne. Since then, I have been living and working as an English teacher in a primary school in the Cadiz province of southern Spain. “My last year of university was especially difficult - strike action meant that I missed a huge chunk of teaching and even graduated without a degree or a dissertation grade. The housing crisis in Edinburgh meant that my friends and I couldn’t find a property for the first semester of our last year, resulting in starting my fourth year either sofa surfing, staying in first year accommodation or being moved around various temporary accommodations in Edinburgh. It’s safe to say I felt pretty disillusioned with academia, and burnt out from the stress of everything, so I knew I didn’t want to continue in further education for the time being. “I had heard about the British Council from a friend, a scheme that allows native English speakers to live and work as a language assistant at a Spanish school. I applied on a whim and eventually ended up accepting the offer and moving to Cadiz.  “I live in a rural town called Arcos de la Frontera in the Cadiz region of Andalucía, in southern Spain. It’s a town in the hills about an hour and a half from Seville and was by no means my first pick of location (but the British Council can be a bit of a lottery regarding where you get allocated). “Small town life has its trials and tribulations- not a single supermarket is open on a Sunday and finding a spot for a coffee during siesta hours is pretty much impossible. However, it has helped me to slow down, live more presently and deconstruct the fast paced, work-obsessed rhetoric that I’m used to. “The flexibility of my job means I have a lot of time to dedicate to expanding my writing portfolio. I write opinion pieces for a few independent magazines and do a lot of creative writing - I’m even part way through my first novel. Ultimately, I’d love to move into the journalism or publishing field and I have been researching a few Masters courses for the year after next.” Catch up with the entire series: https://lnkd.in/eNQAZ_VG #TeachingCareers #TeachingAbroad

How My French Minor Informs My Social Work Practice As a Social Worker, I’ve always believed that effective communication is the cornerstone of impactful practice. My undergraduate minor in French wasn’t just a linguistic journey—it was a cultural immersion that profoundly shaped my approach to social work. Studying French taught me more than just a second language; it opened my eyes to different ways of thinking, communicating, and understanding the world. It instilled in me a deep appreciation for cultural nuances, which is vital when working with diverse populations. In social work, language is more than words; it’s about connection, empathy, and understanding the unspoken. In my practice, I draw on the lessons learned from my French minor to bridge gaps between different cultural backgrounds and to foster a more inclusive environment for my clients. Whether I’m navigating a language barrier or simply understanding a cultural context that differs from my own, the skills and insights from my French studies help me to approach each client with the respect and sensitivity they deserve. Social work is about meeting people where they are—linguistically, culturally, and emotionally. My French minor equipped me with the tools to do just that, making me not just a more effective communicator but a more empathetic and culturally responsive social worker. #BSW #MSW #DSW #PHD #FROMTHEDESKOFJPJ #NASW #CSWE #SOCIALWORK #SOCIALWORKERS

Lack of French teachers has been an issue for over 40 years in Ontario. Improving working conditions for Core French teachers and resources for French Immersion teachers is what school board employers need to do to attract and retain them in those positions. #FSL #cpfontario #French Immersion #FSLteachers #omlta #students #OntEd https://lnkd.in/eejF-WBJ

Check out what our students are doing in their extracurricular activities! 🎨🚀 From engaging workshops to cultural outings, each activity is designed to enrich their educational experience. 🌍 Interested in being part of this? Learn more about our intensive Spanish courses in Madrid here: https://lnkd.in/dyKg-c2b ✨ #Education #Activities #Spanish #Madrid"

Choosing the right school for an international child in the Netherlands involves more than just looking at academic scores. Here’s what to consider to ensure they thrive both educationally and culturally. 🌍 International children in Dutch schools are often bilingual or trilingual, typically very dedicated and eager to learn. This is why parents frequently seek out the best schools for their children. However, at Young Expat Services, we believe it’s not just about achieving the highest CITO scores (the grade 8 end-of-year test results) but also about a school’s expertise in teaching Dutch as a second language and understanding cultural differences. 🌐 Always inquire about their experience with international children and the programs they offer. Additionally, finding a school close to home is beneficial; it facilitates playdates and accelerates Dutch language acquisition, which greatly aids their language acquisition. 🏡 — 👨👩👧👦 Our mission: Guiding families smoothly towards the right school choice when relocating to the Netherlands. Follow us on: 💼 LinkedIn: Information for the best support of your client in school finding during their family relocation. 🔍 Instagram & Facebook: Tips for individuals about finding the best school for their child(ren) when relocating to the Netherlands

"Why choose Surval Montreux to learn French?" Joanne, 15, from Belgium and the Philippines answered questions from her French teacher, Mr Alexis Peltier about her experience of the French Language and Culture gap programme here at Surval. Read and watch the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/ePZ8pzyR #French #Languages #Learningnewlanguages #SurvalMontreux #GapProgramme

Grow with Spanish learnings 📚 🙆♀️ What are you waiting for........... ⭕ The Growing Importance of Spanish in Education" highlights the increasing recognition of Spanish as a valuable asset in educational settings worldwide........ Overall, the growing importance of Spanish in education reflects a broader recognition of the language's significance in an increasingly interconnected and diverse world with educational institutions playing a crucial role in promoting Spanish language learning and cultural exchange........... Here are some keys 💁♀️ :- *Global Reach *Economic & Career Opportunities *Cultural Exchange & Diversity *Bilingual Education *Enhanced Cognitive Skills *Promotion of Global Citizenship *Addressing Language Inequities #Educación #Education #SpanishLearning #PositiveCommunication #BilingualExpression !Chao!

📚 Understanding the Spanish Educational System There are many more differences between educational systems than we might think. ⬇️⬇️⬇️ “I remember when I first got to Houston, ready for junior high as an exchange student. I had learned British English at school and used to call the hallway 'corridor' so when I first heard the word 'hallway', I thought people had said 'highway'. So I kept calling it 'highway'. It was not until a few months later that someone told me it was called 'hallway'. And, honestly, calling it 'highway' made total sense to me, as people were running from one class to the other before the bell rang, so I thought that was why. That was just one of the many many things that shocked me. Going from one class to the other? I stay all day within the same four walls at school in Spain!” That's how Ainhoa, who is actually me (ConversaSpain Community Manager), felt on the first day of being immersed in another culture and school system. Everyone on the ConversaSpain team has lived, studied, or taught abroad, so believe us when we say it can be overwhelming at first—and we know it will be for many of you. Today, we want to make it a bit easier for those arriving at a Spanish school in just a few months. ⚙️Educational System 🔟Grading System 📗Subjects 📅Schedule ❓Curiosities Swipe to learn some basic information about Spanish schools. 👇 Would you add anything else? 👇 #Education #TeachAbroad #ExperienceAbroad #ConversaSpain #AuxiliardeConversacion

In this blog post I delve into the value of learning informal Spanish and slang for fostering friendships and cultural immersion, based on my own personal experiences backpacking across South America.