Ahora es el turno de los alumnos de Lytchett Minster School, quienes, en un inglés maravilloso, resumen uno por uno la experiencia vivida durante 7 agotadores días conviviendo con una familia española, aprendiendo no sólo nuestra lengua, sino también nuestra cultura y nuestra idiosincracia.
Destacan palabras e ideas como convivencia, amistad, disfrutar, aprender, inolvidable, con muchos superlativos, lo que nos hace una idea de por dónde van las reflexiones que se hacen.
Aportan otra perspectiva no tan diferente pero no similar a la de nuestros alumnos españoles. Inglaterra queda lejos, y su lengua y su cultura son muy distintas a las nuestras; no obstante, al leer estos breves textos redactados con el cariño e ilusión, nos podemos percatar de esos pequeños matices que nos unen, más de los que nos imaginamos, y nos hacen formar parte de un mismo sueño, el de una Europa unida, integradora, acogedora, abierta al diferente y respetuosa con el distinto.
Merece la pena leerlas.
Spanish
Exchange to Mancha Real (Jaén, Spain)
Following months of preparation, excitement and nerves, the date
finally arrived!
On Sunday 14th of January, we set off to Spain for a week!
Students
at Bournemouth airport ready to board
After a few hours travelling, we arrived at Sierra Mágina School, where
a group of equally nervous Spanish students were waiting for us. This was the
beginning of a week of amazing activities, friendships and life-long memories.
But, who best to tell you all about it, than the students themselves…
Day
1 – All students involved in the exchange ready for their first day at school
Day
1 – Reception by the Mayor at the Town Hall in Mancha Real
The
Spanish Exchange was genuinely the best trip I have ever had! It was different
from the first time I went in June because instead of spending the majority the
time in the school with it being completely tailored around me, and everyone in
awe of the fact that I was there, this time, everyone was still incredibly
welcoming but we were just put in lessons without the teachers and students
placing too much emphasis on the fact we were there, so we could properly
experience what genuine Spanish lessons are like, which was obviously very
interesting for me considering my current Spanish Independent Research Project
is a comparison of the education of languages in England and Spain. Everybody
involved in the exchange were just lovely, and I feel as though I have made
friends for life! I can’t wait to see them again in April and I already miss my
host family and exchange partner because they were some of the nicest people I
have ever met! And I just want to say thank you so much for this life-changing
experience and I hope it continues for years to come, so many other students in
the future can experience the same thing I did!
Fiona
Thorpe
Day 2 – Visit to an olive oil factory
I
had the most amazing time when I spent a week in Mancha Real, Jaen, Spain on a
student exchange. I got to meet so many lovely people who I can say will be
friends for life. My highlight of the trip was when I visited the Alhambra
Palace in Granada. It was very picturesque and a wonderful UNESCO World
Heritage site. We also visited an olive oil factory where they went through the
process of olive oil manufacture. An interesting fact that they told us is that
the olive oil that is made by the olives that are found on the floor rather
than picked straight from the trees is a lot cheaper and not as good quality. I
also thoroughly enjoyed experiencing Spanish culture and living the lifestyle
they live as it is very different to the English way. It is fair to say it is
more fun and laid back than in the UK. I
enjoyed it so much that I am hoping to do my work experience there in June and
can definitely say that that will not be my last visit to Mancha Real.
Charlotte
Harvey
Day 3 – Visit to Jaén’s castle
Day 3 – Visit to “La cruz” in Jaén
Day 3 – Bird’s eye view of Jaén from “La cruz”
In
my opinion, going on the Spanish Exchange trip has been the best decision that
I have ever made; being given the opportunity to go and spend a week in my
target country, learning their language further, learning about their customs,
their gastronomy and their people teaches you things that you just can’t learn
in the classroom and it has most certainly boosted my confidence now I am back
in Spanish lessons.
I
would say that the best part of this trip was exploring the country with a
large group of natives; we got to see the usual tourist areas such as La
Catedral de Jaen, La Mezquita de Cordoba and The Arab baths, but we also got to
look around Jaen, Cordoba and Mancha Real as if we lived there; learning how
the Spanish live, and how they spend their free time, you can say that I felt
like less of an outsider.
I
can’t underestimate enough just how amazing the lessons were either, sitting in
Spanish classes every day is definitely something that I will never forget and
I would love to go back and do it all again.
Olivia
Harrison
Day 3 – Visit to the Arab Baths in Jaén
I seriously recommend
the Spanish exchange to anyone doing A-level Spanish, not only does it
help you improve your Spanish speaking skills but you make a
new group of friends that you will never forget and you will stay in
contact with them for the rest of your life! Our group of A-level students and
the Spanish exchanges all have a group chat together and we message each other
everyday, we are even considering going back for work experience. I don't think
I've ever laughed so much in my life; so long story short, you only live once:
go to Spain and have a great time!
Lucie
Jenkins
Day 3 – Visit to the Arab Bath
To
begin with, I was reluctant to take part in the exchange. It was a combination
of nerves and a fear of falling behind with the rest of my A-Levels that put me
off the idea. I spent a while mulling things over before I decided to go
against my nerves and live like a Spanish student for a week which ended up
being one of the best decisions I have ever made. Despite not being able to
understand the teachers for the first few days, I loved everything about the
trip, from the Spanish lifestyle to the many cathedrals we visited.
Furthermore, the skills and relationships I gained are much more valuable than
the little bit of history work I missed out on. I had the most amazing time in
Jaén and I advise anyone who gets an opportunity like this to take it.
Jon
Selway
Day 4 – Interview at a local radio
station
I enjoyed the Spanish exchange trip so much and
I miss it already. Everyone there was so nice and welcoming, especially my
partner Miguel Angel and his family, which meant that settling in was easy. We
went to the school most days but we had activities and trips planned for the
rest of the day. We visited the city of Jaén, Córdoba, and saw some of the
sights including the cathedral, mosque, and castle. My highlight, however, was
visiting Granada in the afternoon/evening, which was planned by the families so
we felt very lucky, and the views were amazing. I would 100% recommend the trip
to anyone interested in learning Spanish because it’s the best way to practice
speaking and listening skills by immersing yourself in the culture and the
language.
Jordan
Fripp
Day 4 – A football match at break time
For
me, the Spanish exchange trip was an amazing experience! Not only due to the
fact that everyone was so welcoming but also because I learnt so much about the
Spanish culture. My speaking and understanding of the language improved during
the week and I have made some great friends who I hope to stay in contact with
for a long time. I am already planning my next trip there and I can’t wait for
the Spanish students to come to England!
Marcela
Woolley
Day 5 – Trip to the mountains
Day 5 – Picnic in the mountains
Our visit to Mancha Real was a great way to kick
off 2018. Everyone went above and beyond for us all and were truly so
enthusiastic about our arrival. My exchange partner Lourdes and I got on really
well and her family were so sweet! I've made many new friends in the last
week.
It was fun being in a different learning environment, even though I had to study subjects like maths and chemistry again. I even went to an extra English lesson outside of school and it was so interesting to see my own language being taught as a foreign language and how eager they are to learn it, something I feel in England we need to learn to reciprocate!
My favourite day by far was visiting Córdoba with the beautiful Mosque and palace ruins. The week was an incredible experience and I really hope the exchange continuous for future A-Level students.
Chloe Cole
It was fun being in a different learning environment, even though I had to study subjects like maths and chemistry again. I even went to an extra English lesson outside of school and it was so interesting to see my own language being taught as a foreign language and how eager they are to learn it, something I feel in England we need to learn to reciprocate!
My favourite day by far was visiting Córdoba with the beautiful Mosque and palace ruins. The week was an incredible experience and I really hope the exchange continuous for future A-Level students.
Chloe Cole
Day
6 – Mr Manuel Molina and Mrs María José Catena
Day 6 – Visit to Medina Al-Zahra in Córdoba
The experience that I had on the Spanish Exchange to Mancha Real was unlike anything else that I have experienced before. Why do I say it is unlike any of my past experiences? It is not only because it improved my ability to speak one of the languages I am studying in Sixth Form, but I have learnt so many new parts of the Spanish culture as well as places that I never knew existed. Spain is one of the most beautiful countries I have ever visited; especially Jaén as well as Granada and Cordoba with all its ancient history. The friends I have made over in Mancha Real will never be forgotten because: they were all so friendly; I got on with them really well; we all had a lot of fun together and they helped me with my Spanish speaking skills. Without a doubt, this is an amazing opportunity that I would highly recommend to students wishing to study A-level Spanish and, hopefully, I'm looking forward to returning there for my work experience in June as well as in the future.
Lewis Goodenough
Day
6 – Roman bridge and Mosque in Córdoba
At first I was quite nervous about the
trip and wasn’t sure how it would pan out with me talking Spanish consistently.
However we all quickly settled in due to the immense kindness of the families
that they offered us and the group became close and we all got on very well
with each other. I loved the Spanish lifestyle, the people, the food and the
location of where we stayed. After school we would always do something together
which I really enjoyed because in England it doesn’t happen as much. Its good
and well learning Spanish in class but to be in Spain and have to use it
consistently is where you see your progress. It really was an experience that
was incredibly helpful and one that I will never forget and has made me want to
return there in the future.
Dene Harper
From the 14th to the 21st
of January, as a French assistant working at Lytchett Minster School this year,
I had the pleasure to participate in the Spanish exchange with the Sixth
Formers. My experience in Jaen was amazing, especially because it was my first
time in this sunny country and because Spain is so different to where I come from.
As soon as we arrived, the ten students participating, Miss Gómez and I felt warmly welcomed: the teachers from Sierra Mágina, our host school, had planned a variety of activities with the host families to facilitate our stay.
Not only did I appreciate learning
about the Spanish educational system, the influence of the Arabic culture
in Andalusia and the production of olive oil, but I have also developed
more confidence in myself, as a French teacher. Being able to observe teachers
in their class and to share my own culture by giving some lessons has been an
incredible blessing for me. Now, I am more than motivated to learn the Spanish
language and to see how the outcomes of this work experience are going to
improve my teaching skills.
Thanks to all the people involved from
Lytchett Minster School and from Sierra Mágina. You have made big changes to many
lives.
Renee Goupil, French
Assistant from Canada
It has been an extraordinary experience for all of us, and from here, I
would like to thank Mr Ernesto Medina and his teaching staff at Sierra Mágina
who, in one way or another, helped make this happen. In particular, I would
like to thank, Mr Manuel Molina and Mrs Maria José Catena, for their enthusiasm
and commitment to this project; without them, this would have never been
possible. I would also like to thank all the parents, British and Spanish, for
their trust and support. Renée for her endless energy throughout the week. Finally,
and most importantly, the students, every single one of them, for being absolutely
brilliant and a credit to the school.
¡Muchas gracias!
Group photo at Sierra Mágina
Comentarios
Publicar un comentario