Teaching English in Spain

[jojo]

Originally Posted by Pesky Wesky

I wonder why?????!!!!!

As the parent of two secondary school kids and three more now grown up kids.... its cos they're little *******s!!!!!!!!


Seriously tho I was wondering the same, surely secondary teachers know what they're letting themselves in for???


Jo xxxx

[Pesky Wesky]

Originally Posted by jojo

As the parent of two secondary school kids and three more now grown up kids.... its cos they're little *******s!!!!!!!!


Seriously tho I was wondering the same, surely secondary teachers know what they're letting themselves in for???


Jo xxxx

But can anybody really prepare themselves for teens as they are today?

As I'm sure you know, private schools are no guarantee against "unpleasant happenings". I've heard of plenty of bullying and drugs going on there.
My daughter goes to the local secondary school. When she started 3 years ago I was literally having sleepless nights worrying about what was going to happen to her. It's a school where there are a high proportion of immigrants (ourselves included of course) and don't forget there have been problems with Latin kings in Madrid and a South American boy was stabbed to death in the town where I live. The catchment area includes the nicest area and the worst area of town etc etc.
Well, she has made the nicest friends from all parts of the world. The teachers in general (with two exceptions that stand out like sore thumbs) have been great and we are very happy with our choice. True the standard is not very high, but is it in England?
Other people in our family (Spanish) have sent their children to bilingual American and French schools, but purely for the language skills. They are only too ready to admit that the facilities are nothing special.
Before anybody comes down on me for that last comment it's not my opinion as I don't know the schools, it's the Spanish peoples' opinion!
This should be on another thread about education in Spain, shouldn't it??

[jojo]

When we lived in the UK, my son went to a massive state high school in our town. He hated it, he would sob at night, lock himself in the bathroom and fiegn illness soas not to go. He was one of 31 kids and most of those kids were naughty and the teacher seemed pretty much powerless to do anything about it! In fact, the teacher once said to me that he was glad my son was in his class cos he was no trouble and could be left quietly reading or something while the teacher could get on with trying to disapline the trouble makers who would run rings around him and cause chaos!!

When we moved to Spain, we did alot of searching and investigating, we chose the international school in Cartama. The transformation in my son is overwhelming, he's confident, bright, hard working and very clever. There are 13 kids in his class 5 brits and the rest are "others" (lol)

The difference between these two schools, isnt so much the fact that ones private and the other isnt. Its because the private is smaller and IMO more importantly, they are very strict! They have the cane and there is a very rigid and serious "zero tolerance" policy!! Which means the pupils arent ever side tracked by the disruptive behavior of the few. its nipped in the bud! There are one of two kids there who have tried to be disruptive, but they have the threat of the cane and behave! Simple

jo xx

[Pesky Wesky]

Originally Posted by jojo

When we lived in the UK, my son went to a massive state high school in our town. He hated it, he would sob at night, lock himself in the bathroom and fiegn illness soas not to go. He was one of 31 kids and most of those kids were naughty and the teacher seemed pretty much powerless to do anything about it! In fact, the teacher once said to me that he was glad my son was in his class cos he was no trouble and could be left quietly reading or something while the teacher could get on with trying to disapline the trouble makers who would run rings around him and cause chaos!!

When we moved to Spain, we did alot of searching and investigating, we chose the international school in Cartama. The transformation in my son is overwhelming, he's confident, bright, hard working and very clever. There are 13 kids in his class 5 brits and the rest are "others" (lol)

The difference between these two schools, isnt so much the fact that ones private and the other isnt. Its because the private is smaller and IMO more importantly, they are very strict! They have the cane and there is a very rigid and serious "zero tolerance" policy!! Which means the pupils arent ever side tracked by the disruptive behavior of the few. its nipped in the bud! There are one of two kids there who have tried to be disruptive, but they have the threat of the cane and behave! Simple

jo xx

I'm not sure what to think about the cane. I am pretty sure it's just as illegal here as it is in England so I hope they never use it.
But the important thing is to have a happy child. You must have all suffered along with your son when he was going through that.
I agree that the size of the school seems to influence. My daughter's school only has 300+ students I think

[jojo]

Originally Posted by Pesky Wesky

I'm not sure what to think about the cane. I am pretty sure it's just as illegal here as it is in England so I hope they never use it.
But the important thing is to have a happy child. You must have all suffered along with your son when he was going through that.
I agree that the size of the school seems to influence. My daughter's school only has 300+ students I think

I was wondering about the legalities of it here too!? However, my kids are in favour of it (i am too) and they like the fact that the school is strict cos they dont wanna be surrounded by disruptive kids!

jo xxx

[Caz.I]

Originally Posted by jojo

I was wondering about the legalities of it here too!? However, my kids are in favour of it (i am too) and they like the fact that the school is strict cos they dont wanna be surrounded by disruptive kids!

jo xxx

Ahem. Changing the subject a bit (interesting though it is) ie. I have some good news, for once!

I mentioned earlier on this this thread about American graduates giving conversation classes in state schools here, and previously it stated that it was only for students from the United States and Canada (much to my annoyance ). But have since discovered that UK and Irish graduates, and those who are undergraduates and completed 2 years of their course, can also participate in this scheme. As can graduates from Australia and various other countries.
The British ones can apply direct via the British Council programme British Council Language Assistants
and others can go to the Spanish Education dept website Portada > Actividad internacional > Convocatorias de trabajo y formación > Convocatorias para extranjeros - Ministerio de Educación.
Perhaps Brits in Spain can apply direct too, not sure, but there is a phoneline.

I should say, though, that you have to have quite a high standard of Spanish for these posts, but there is something called a Comenius Assistant in which you dont. (It explains more on the British Council site.)

I think, though that it might be too late for applications for this year, but for anyone thinking about coming out in the next year, or for a gap year, it might be a good option.

Will update you if I found out more info about these schemes.

Caz.
xx

[Pesky Wesky]

Originally Posted by Caz.I

Ahem. Changing the subject a bit (interesting though it is) ie. I have some good news, for once!

I mentioned earlier on this this thread about American graduates giving conversation classes in state schools here, and previously it stated that it was only for students from the United States and Canada (much to my annoyance ). But have since discovered that UK and Irish graduates, and those who are undergraduates and completed 2 years of their course, can also participate in this scheme. As can graduates from Australia and various other countries.

Caz.
xx

Thanks for putting us back on the straight and narrow Caz. I and many thanks for the information, which is really useful!!

[xabiachica]

Originally Posted by Caz.I

Ahem. Changing the subject a bit (interesting though it is) ie. I have some good news, for once!

I mentioned earlier on this this thread about American graduates giving conversation classes in state schools here, and previously it stated that it was only for students from the United States and Canada (much to my annoyance ). But have since discovered that UK and Irish graduates, and those who are undergraduates and completed 2 years of their course, can also participate in this scheme. As can graduates from Australia and various other countries.
The British ones can apply direct via the British Council programme British Council Language Assistants
and others can go to the Spanish Education dept website Portada > Actividad internacional > Convocatorias de trabajo y formación > Convocatorias para extranjeros - Ministerio de Educación.
Perhaps Brits in Spain can apply direct too, not sure, but there is a phoneline.

I should say, though, that you have to have quite a high standard of Spanish for these posts, but there is something called a Comenius Assistant in which you dont. (It explains more on the British Council site.)

I think, though that it might be too late for applications for this year, but for anyone thinking about coming out in the next year, or for a gap year, it might be a good option.

Will update you if I found out more info about these schemes.

Caz.
xx

and there's the rub as far as state schools are concerened


and around here you have to pass a test in valenciano, too!


you'd think that they'd want someone fluent in english really wouldn't you?

there was an argentinian lady teaching english at one of our local primary schools - and if you've ever heard the argentinian accent you'll understand why I feel

I used to teach english to a couple of argentinians - their accent in spanish really threw me for a while - & the way they were used to moving (or not!) their mouths when they speak gave them huge problems with pronunciation!

[Tallulah]

OK, so I was just wondering as I haven't yet had the chance to listen to that interview that Graham Hunt posted earlier in the week on state/international schools and the correct ages to bring over children in order to NOT disrupt their education....can anyone tell me is it area specific? I recall having a conversation - oooh, ages ago with Steve I think (he may correct me) - whereby it was mainly in a large expat area in the South where the education of expat children were suffering - mainly because of the fact that the school classes were mainly made up of expats. As you know, we brought our's over four years ago - twins then aged 7 and the youngest aged 6 and put them straight into a state school. Of course, it was frustrating that there were no OFSTED type reports, but coming to an area where we have a lot of family whose children went through this particular school, it was great "word of mouth" and we've managed to develop a good communication with the director and teachers.

I think our children definitely benefitted from reduced class sizes (17-20 max), predominantly Spanish population and also the additional teacher support in the first few months in languages (Castellano & Gallego). Also the fact that my husband went to the UK at aged 8 not speaking a word of English, yet is now more English than Spanish when speaking to him (the switch between the languages and adaptability of integrating youngsters below a certain age is incredible) was most reassuring for someone contemplating that move.

I'll try and have a listen later to that interview.

[xabiachica]

generally opinion is that over the age of say, 10, the ability to 'absorb' a language decreases dramatically - so much older than that & the kids have a real problem picking it up quickly

my two were 5 & 8 (nearly 9) when they went into spanish state school - we wasted a year & a lot of money putting them into International for the first year we were here

despite being in a high ex-pat area - not just brits - they have both picked up the languages (castellano & valenciano) so well that even spanish people think they are spanish when they hear them speak - (if they can see them it's a bit of a giveaway since they are both tall blue-eyed blondes!)

however not all kids manage so well - a classmate of my older girl - now 13 - has been held back this year & told to take spanish lessons! She has been in the spanish system a year longer than my girls!