All kinds of stuff in A Coruña

This first week (and a bit) in A Coruña has been satisfyingly varied. Alongside observing classes ranging from 13/14 years old to 17/18 years old and jumping straight in with an arts and crafts class of 7/8 year olds, I have also had the opportunity to start teaching.

The role of the curriculum (including exams) was something that I hadn't concerned myself with much during the training in Chester. Realistically, depending on a whole load of variables (the school, class, time period, subject, etc.), you may have varying levels of leeway when it comes to coursebook activities. Sometimes you are told you"have to" use the book and a major part of observing and planning has been quickly trying to find out where they have been and where they are going next--and how you can best fit into that.

Working in the environment of a "normal" school--full of all the extra dramas and dynamics of life as a young, growing person, including motivation and lack thereof--is just different from teaching on a CELTA course. Compared to a CELTA course there are additional responsibilities as the designated adult in the room, ranging from dealing with teenage complaining to breaking up toddler fights.

With the 1st and 2nd Bachillerato students (at 16/17 and 17/18 an equivalent to sixth form or college students) I have meanwhile been involved in one-on-one speaking practice with each of the students during the course of the lessons. The format of these short conversations directly mimics the speaking assessments that they will soon have (with me, no less) while equally being a great way to get to know and be known by a class.

Spontaneous changes of plan, such as emergency exam invigilation, delivering a class a day earlier than originally planned and assisting with a class of 3 year olds have added a nice bit of variety and tested my flexibility, too.

Extra lessons learnt: 

1. 15 year old Spanish boys are still chuffed with fake plastic winner medals from Carrefour and mini Kinder Buenos. 
2. 3 year olds are adorable but capable of overpowering a fully grown adult when they massively outnumber you (and you make the mistake of trying to read the pop up colours book while sat down). 
3. I am particularly delicious to mosquitoes and other unknown insects. 

Now enjoy Midje, Callum and I posing like pros at the Tower of Hercules and a nice view.