Keeping Occupied
 

Just would like some feedback on an idea of mine to keep me from going a bit stir crazy.

In October, new school term, I am thinking of offering my services at a local primary school free of course to help Spanish children with learning English. It would obviously also help me with my Spanish but also make me feel useful. I would have liked to have got a small part time job but don´t feel that my Spanish is good enough and it is essential in my part of Spain. Thoughts please.

Re: Keeping Occupied
 

I once got invited by a neighbours 16 year old girl to go to her school and talk to her class. It was a one off thing. I was there for about an hour and had to stand at the front of the class whilst they all asked me questions in English that they had prepared beforehand. It was good fun, but I don't know about your prospects of doing this on a regular basis.

Also, I've seen adverts at the Escuela Oficial de Idiomas for native English speakers to go there. I think this was more of a regular thing. I'm not sure if there is an EOdI in your area, but might be worth a look. I think if your Spanish is not all that good, it might be easier speaking with adults as their level is English is likely to be higher.

Keith

Re: Keeping Occupied
 

It's always worth asking but you might find a variety of inconsistent responses, depending upon how much they play it by the book, how traditional their approach, how flexible they are, what the school/parent pressure relationship is, so best of luck. You might like to think of a few possible things you could do before contacting them, since they might not have the imagination to think outside their normal processes.

For a while, my wife spent some time going in and reading appropriate English storybooks to the lower classes, with the objective of getting them used to hearing English with a decent accent (my daughter has to correct their English teachers, since native speakers cannot get a look-in in the Spanish system). This was at infant level, I think, where the teachers tended to be younger, more progressive and more open, however, they did want it very much on their terms only, which meant breaking up my wife's days with trips to the school to the level where she gave it up.

The primary system might be too regimented to cope with introducing something else, but as I say, it really depends on the attitude of the senior staff and teachers who may feel affected, so you might strike lucky. It's also worth thinking through how you would present it (benefits, material/resources, your skills/qualifications etc) if a headmaster/mistress asks you in for a meeting.

May also be worth trying as a teaching assistant at a British/International school - wife of a friend of mine achieved that.

Good luck.

Re: Keeping Occupied
 

I offered at my children's school, and was told that they don't allow volunteers, by law, although it later transpired that this was actually the Directora's rule.
AMPA, the parent's association, are working to get this, and other things changed.

Re: Keeping Occupied
 

You made me smile....how long have you been living out there?? The 'lower classes' ?? Enrol immediately for a summer long course in political correctness!! When property hunting inland I was bemused by a Yorkshireman's stories of the locals new found English skills. Himself a gamekeeper turned builder, he had a wonderfully appropriate accent,but a bunch of Brummies had been teaching some Spanish English, and his imitations of the Spanish/Birmingham accent kept us amused. I think it would be just as funny to come across Spanish artisans and country people speaking English with cut glass vowels and plums in their mouths.

Re: Keeping Occupied
 

Think they meant - lower, as in, younger pupils, not working-class - lol :)

Re: Keeping Occupied
 

Hi,

I personally feel that if you make the slightest bit of difference to the childrens education then its certainly worth while- and if it keeps you busy and earns you a little bit of money during this time then all the better!

Good luck

Linda

Re: Keeping Occupied
 

Hi Glynis,
There was an article in The Oracle's April issue about an infant school in Cartaya (Huelva) with a British Teaching Assistant as a member of staff. The school is the first to pilot a scheme throughout Andalucia (if proven successful) to teach English language/conversation to youngsters. Here's the Oracle's address:http://www.theoraclecostadelaluz.com...tpage&Itemid=1
Regards,
Carol

Re: Keeping Occupied
 

How right you are.....and have I got egg on my face !!!! I was never taught to use cutlery in the proper way ..... :o

Re: Keeping Occupied
 

Carol

I´ve gone through the paper but can´t find anything on this!! Unfortunately at the moment we don´t have a an International school in the area but hopefully within 18 months there should be at least one in the area.

Re: Keeping Occupied
 

Hello Glynis,

I would say the teacher / parent associations (AMPA) would be the people to approach.

They have more power in the school than people realise.

David

Re: Keeping Occupied
 

Hi Glynis,
Sorry, I didn't explain that the link featured the May issue. To view the April issue I believe you have to log on (look in the News or Features sections). Try contacting them (Oracle) directly, or, as suggested above, enquire about volunteering at your local school with an aim to improve your skills in Spanish and contribute to the community (perhaps even to take a course?)
Start watching the spanish kiddies' programs and cartoons, too!
Buena suerte!
Carol

Re: Keeping Occupied
 

There are about half a dozen language school in CÃ diz and they are always on the look-out for conversational English teachers to teach mainly adult students. Reading books, word games or just topics to promote conversation are what they are after, and whilst you don't need any official qualifications (remember, you are not actually a teacher) it will help if you have experience in talking in front of crowds etc. I would advise you to steer very very clear of trying to teach children for the simple reason that if your Spanish is not up to telling them off, instilling discipline and order in the class and generally letting them know who is boss, they will rip you to pieces.

Re: Keeping Occupied
 

Thanks for that CDL. I used to be in financial services and also amateur dramatics so talking to crowds should be fine. However as I said earlier I seem to have lost a lot of my confidence since being over here. I just feel I need to get myself motivated. If I lived on the Costa del Sol there wouldn´t be a problem I could get any one of a number of jobs but this part of the world it isn´t so easy. At the end of the day it´s not the money I am after it´s the self-worth.

Re: Keeping Occupied
 

Hi Glynis,
Any new venture requires a certain amount of guts.
Plan your lesson in spanish (yes, you CAN do it), & sell yourself to the equivalent of the Headteacher. There might be some sort of Disclosure type form to fill in.
All being well, you are a guest in the infant classroom, not their teacher, so you will not be left in charge of discipline. If the noise level rises, just put your hand in the air and wait for the silence. If this is not understood by the class, place your finger tip to your ear and then to your lips. No words are spoken. By this stage, the teacher will have intervened, if not before. Have a smile on your face at all times, a manicure and wear lovely earrings (girls love them)!!
Your lesson might involve reading a story in english from a huge picture book - big enough for the whole class to see from a distance. Always check with the teacher/HT if the book is suitable for their level/curriculum. Practice your presentation in front of a mirror at home. Can you see the pictures? Can you guess what your tone of voice implies (happiness, anger, sadness, etc.)? Your lesson should last no longer than 5 -10 minutes (check your time); any longer and you'll see the children will start to squirm.
Now, Glynis, you could soon become the "travelling English (Welsh, N.Irish, Scottish) lady with the storybooks" in every school in your area! How exciting!
If any of this is totally wrong in the spanish classroom, then I'll eat my sombrero...
Up for discussion.
Regards,
Carol