My ELA Experience

With only three days left as an ELA in Valencia I thought I'd reflect on my time here doing this job.

It's no secret that this year hasn't been the year I thought it would be when I was back in university thinking about the ''best year of your life.'' When I was really struggling and wondering if I would be able to stick it out, my school was the only reason, along with my family, that I managed to get through.

All year on the Facebook group I've seen people complaining about how awful their school is and how they are not used enough or exploited in what they have to do. However my school has been the complete opposite as from the start my school gave me the opportunity to split the class in two, so I'd take one half one week and the other half the week after, or be with the teacher in all the classes. As I've previously mentioned in other posts, I opted for teaching the classes myself and I'm so glad I did. I didn't want to be stood at the back of a class being used only to correct grammar or pronunciation. The teachers told me what they wanted me to do every class except Halloween, Bonfire Night and Christmas where I got to do what I wanted and because of this, I've built a great relationship with my student. At first a few were obviously going to challenge the new girl, who wanted to teach them a language they didn't really understand and wasn't that much older than some of them, but any students who misbehaved went back to regular classes as one teacher had said it's a 'privilege' to have classes with me. Even the naughty classes transformed and listened to me which was something I was initially worried about. However, once we got to know each other we all got along great, especially some of the 'misunderstood' pupils such as one who I later found out that the teacher had basically written her off on the first day of 1st of ESO and always targeted her when she hadn't done her homework, even though half of the class hadn't done it either. But now she is one of my favourite pupils and she always does her work and takes part in my classes.

I love the fact they always have questions and stories which do sometimes go off on huge tangents and we always have a joke and a laugh. I also have seen huge improvements in their language abilities which makes me really proud and proves I think I did the right thing for my pupils as well as myself in teaching them. I think with me speaking only English, they have learnt a lot more, even if some still do write 'Inglish.'

I'm so grateful for the great school I've been placed in and it's a great feeling when I've finished a class that has gone great. I definitely will miss them but I'll remember the experience and pupils forever.

I do also have to give a shout out to one of the older students at my university who gave a YA presentation and completely put me off studying, other wise I would have gone along with my original plan and studied and I would have never met these people.

Barcelona in Pictures

                        

                        

                        

                       

                           

                     

                               

My New Favourite City

This past weekend I went to Barcelona and it was such a great decision because it fast became one of my favourite cities and I already want to go back. The first thing I did, in true tourist style, was visit the Sagrada Familía which blew me away. When I came out of the metro I was at the back of the building and I already thought it was the most impressive building I've ever seen. However, when I realised and went to see the front, it was incredible. I don't have the vocabulary to do the architecture justice and I'm not going to try so here are some photos.

 




I went inside and was in awe of how incredible it was, especially the celling and the stained glass windows. Seriously Gaudí was a genius! I could honestly have spent hours looking at celling alone and I would quite happily live in there.

After lunch I then walked up to Park Guell which was a lot different to what I thought it would be. I thought there would be more buildings and it would be smaller, however I was pleasantly surprised with the Park and how big it was. I walked up to the top of the hill where there is basically a big rock that you can climb on and see fantastic panoramic view of the city below, although it was a bit scary as there was no rail around it. While waiting for my slot for the monumental area, I over heard a group of Americans complaining about not being allowed in and that there were no more tickets for 4 hours. One exclaimed that they should close of Manhattan and make people pay for it which definitely amused me. Although why anyone would go to a new city without properly researching times and prices is beyond me but that may just be because I'm a bit of a control freak.

I also went to see the Casa Batlló and Casa Milà and again was very impressed at how amazing Gaudí was.

The following morning I went to Camp Now and did the tour which was great. The stadium is huge and the trophy rooms are very impressive. I'm so glad I finally got to see it and hopefully one day I'll get to see them play at home. I saw them play against Valencia last year which was great although there were only about 30 people who, me included, who wanted Barcelona to win, so I really want to witness the atmosphere in the Camp Nou on match day.

Later I went to La Rambla and the Mercat de la Boqueria which was very colourful although definitely reminded me as to why I'm a vegetarian as the smell of raw meat and jamón is totally not appealing. Then visited the Cathedral, Plaça Catalunya and Arc de Triomf.

 

I also visited Montjuïc where I got the cable car to the top and saw some amazing views of the port and Barcelona.

On the last day before getting the train back to Valencia I spent the day on the beach and I'm so glad I visited Barcelona finally as it's been on my bucket list for a while and it's such a beautiful city and I definitely will be back.