FEDAC Santa Coloma has been in the PAC for four years. This year they’re hosting Roisin, a conversation assistant from Scotland. Both Roisin and her tutor, Verónica, have written to us and sent along some really nice photos! Thanks!
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Roisin
I applied for this program as I wanted adventure! I was not sure what to expect upon arriving and was very nervous meeting my tutor and host family but I quickly settled in and now I feel confident and at home. I work with 4–15 year olds, which is a very large spectrum but offers a wonderful variety of experiences. I teach the youngest classes during P.E., translating words such as “jump” or “ball”. In the rest of the classes I generally take small group of students to another room to practice speaking activities. We play games and do pairwork in two teams, rising in complexity with age or ability. This work is very flexible and I am allowed space to be creative or talk about subjects I feel important.
I also teach several private lessons during the week, again only speaking, where I talk to one or two pupils about various topics such as different accents or the environment and help them with schoolwork they are confused about. I was worried about working in a school as I had a bad experience in my previous teaching work but the staff and my tutor are extremely supportive and I am very impressed at the effort they have taken to make me feel at home.
I feel like I have made some real friends here. I am also staying with a family of four very close to the school and they have made me feel very welcome. We have dinner together every evening which often lasts for a couple of hours as the conversation continues well after the food is finished. The children are charming and funny and I help them with homework when they need me. Knowing minimal Spanish before I came, I was worried about awkward misunderstandings but there has been very little to speak of! I now know a lot more Spanish words (mostly to do with ordering coffee) and hope to continue to absorb the language and culture through “intercambio” and exploring the city. Barcelona is beautiful and I look forward to seeing more of it as a resident. All in all I am extremely glad that I took this chance and I am sure it will stand me in good stead for the future.
Verónica:
After reading this text, as Roisin’s tutor, I feel extremely good; it seems we are all doing a good task. I have to emphasize on the idea that she is really a very good conversation assistant, partner and even a friend. She tries to have a good relationship with all the staff and although her Spanish is already a basic one, she is able to communicate with everybody.
All the teachers feel also really comfortable with her and it is only for a term she is with us!!!!! So, we already have two more terms to go on enjoying the experience, having fun with her and improving our English Language as well.
As regards the children, they are also really happy about this chance of having Roisin among them.
