~Photo Shoot~

A Typical Spanish Breakfast: Toast with Crushed Tomato, Ham, and Olive Oil

The Prison-like Entrance to my School

Cooking for 40

Maggie and her Turkey

Pumpkin Pie!

Out for the Night with Girlfriends

Visiting the Alcazar

Lee's Visit

My First Day of "Work"

My job has officially started today, and with it the frustrations of working in a different country! I am supposed to work 12 hours a week... this is what the Spanish government pays me 700€/month to do. The girls I have met who have done this before have never had a problem with their schools sticking to this time table. Of course I had to be the exception! As it is, Carmona is 45 minutes from Seville, adding an hour and a half to each day's schedule. But today, my coordinator showed me this week's "provisional" schedule. It was Monday through Thursday usually 8:00-2:30 (with breaks), 12.5 hours of teaching in total but 21 hours spent there, and on Thursday my "break" was from 9:00-1:30... WTF!?

So, I had to say something. If anything this experience will help me be more of an assertive person because I know that is the only way to not be trampled in this country! I told my coordinator that I am only contracted to work 12 hours a week, and that with a half hour break each day my schedule shouldn't exceed 14 hours at the school. She knew this already, but "it was soooo difficult because everyone wants you in their classroom" she told me. She made me a new schedule today that I will start using next week and its much better. Yet it will alternate every week which is annoying! Basically, she will be making me a "Schedule A" and "Schedule B" and I will keep alternating between the two. It also means that I see each class only once every 2 weeks! Personally, I don't see how this is very effective... wouldn't it be better if I saw only a few classes (not 20 different ones like it is now) and that I met with them more frequently?

But oh well. As long as my hours are reasonable, I don't care what they do!

Besides the schedule fiasco, my first day was fine. I introduced myself to the classes and had them "interview" me. Most classes were VERY shy and not very participative. Their level of English is very low. I met with a variety of age groups (from 12-18) and my favorite group was definitely the 12 year olds. I walked into their classroom and was overwhelmed by all the tiny people wearing pink! It must be this year's "color" or maybe it was just because the class was primarily girls... Anyway, these kids were too young to be shy! Although they probably had the lowest level of English they asked the most questions by far. My favorite had to be one little girl asking me:

"Do you like boys brown or clear?" Translation: "Do you prefer brunettes or blonds?"

I told her all like all boys! Haha. One of the hardest parts is having to pretend I don't speak any Spanish. The kids look at me like I'm crazy, and I almost slipped up and translated something many times. Oh well, I'm trying!

Other different things I've noticed so far:

• Like I mentioned previously, students don't switch classes-- teachers do.
• Students call teachers by their first names.
• Although students don't change classes, they must leave the classroom (which is then locked) and wait outside the door until the next teacher comes, then they reenter (pointless?)
• The classroom door is ALWAYS locked from the inside. Anyone who needs to get in knocks (maybe a good idea... Columbine etc.)
• The school itself is very secure. Its surrounded by tall, locked gates and the front (and only) entrance requires you to be buzzed in by security. (This is true of all Spanish Public Schools, not just mine!)
• The bell between classes is not a bell, but rather the most earsplitting siren noise I've ever heard.
• Students don't get a lunch break, but they do get a breakfast/snack break at 11:30-12:00. Lunch is served at home after they get out around 3:00.
• Teachers don't dress up AT ALL for school. They wear jeans and T-shirts, flip flops, converse sneakers, etc.
• Most teachers go to the teacher's lounge between classes or during free periods. Its a very social place since teachers don't have their own classrooms!

Well, that was my first day. We'll see how the next 120-something go...!

Why I'm Here

When first accepted to this program I didn't really know what the job entailed. Now, after an orientation and hearing firsthand from many girls who are here for a second or third year, I have a much better idea of my role in the Spanish public school system. In reality, the Spanish government is "using" me and all of the other "Auxiliares" to achieve a goal of plurilingualism here in Spain. They've finally realized that they are sadly lagging behind the rest of Europe in language abilities and have decided to try to make some schools bilingual centers, where a lot of instruction will be ideally in English.

My school is in year zero, which means I am starting with them from the very beginning. They were only just given the funding and approval of the government to become a bilingual school. This year is basically the planning year. One of my roles will be to help teachers who will have to start teaching portions of their classes in English starting next year. I'll help them improve their English and also with lesson planning. The two subjects that will go bilingual next year in my school are mathematics and science... my two least favorite subjects! As far as I understand it, these subjects were chosen over others because the teachers who teach them have the best English abilities at my school.

In addition to planning math and science classes for next year, I will also rotate around to different classrooms every week (which means kids of all ages, as high schools here range from ages 12-18). I'll try to introduce English language and content into their classes. Next year, my school will be in year one, their first year as a bilingual school. But the interesting thing is that the program will not apply to everyone. The bilingual program will start with only one class of 12 year olds, and the students will be chosen by the consent of their parents and then a lottery if there are too many kids who want to be in it. I should mention that here in Spain (and in most of Europe) students are in the same class of about 30 students from age 12-18. The teachers change classrooms here, not the students!

So beginning next year, this "chosen" class of 12 year olds will start having some content taught in English. The next year hopefully more will be taught etc. until they ideally graduate at 18 speaking both languages.

I think that Spain is taking a great first step towards bilingual education with this program. However, there are a couple of things that I'm not too crazy about. For example, is math class in English really a good idea/beneficial? Is it really that important to know the words isoceles triangle, square root, and matrix (for example) in English? Isn't math difficult enough in one's native language? (Or was it just me...!) Also, the students who are put into the bilingual class will probably be the smarter kids, giving them a hugely unfair advantage. The government technically says that every student should have an equal opportunity to be in the class, but, in reality, the kids struggling in school are strongly advised not to apply for this program, or usually don't want the extra work anyway!

Yet despite the kinks, at least Spain is recognizing the need to be multilingual in today's world. I wish the US would do the same. People from other countries already have a huge advantage over me when they speak multiple languages. Here in Europe many jobs require candidates to be fluent in 2-4 different languages. But until the US finally realizes this, people like me will be here in Spain and other countries helping people become multilingual, and thus more competitive and capable on the world stage. Don't blame me when Spain takes over the world!

*For a full explanation of the bilingual program here in Andalucía go here: http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/averroes/html/portal/com/bin/contenidos/B/InnovacionEInvestigacion/ProyectosInnovadores/Plurilinguismo/Portada/1182945265640_wysiwyg_planing.pdf

The Google Maps Incident

Spanish people are very disorganized by American standards. They put things off, leave things until the last minute, and rarely give information until its absolutely necessary. Amazingly, however, things still get done and things run fairly smoothly! When I received my official acceptance letter at the end of July the only information it contained was my school's address, email address, and the day I needed to be there. After emailing my school with quite a few questions (including asking if it would be possible for me to live in Seville Capital and commute) I received something along the lines of:

"Greetings from Spain Lauren. The truth is that this year, in July, we are starting a new program with many hopes of success, however, unfortunately, we must learn many things, one of them being that in this school we have never had a language assistant, so all of this is new for us, and I can't give you much information. Regardless, we are waiting for you with open arms at our school, and above all in the English Department, where they will be able to give you more information and finalize what your job and obligations will be. Thank you. Bye."

Well, I wasn't too surprised when I received the email and saw that not one of my questions were answered and I did research on my own. The school's address was in a small town about 27 miles outside of Seville called Carmona. The town itself has a lot of history and is actually a fairly popular tourist destination. The town is accessible from Seville only by bus, which takes about 45 minutes from the city and runs hourly. With that information I decided I would commute.

Fast forward to a few days ago. I'd already paid a deposit on my new apartment in Seville, made some friends, and was enjoying exploring this beautiful city when suddenly technology stopped my honeymoon period short. I had picked up a map of Carmona from the tourist office here in Seville and tried to find my school's address. It wasn't there. So, I used google maps to try to locate it...and I did. Google maps showed my school as being very far from Carmona and suddenly, I was frantic. I googled away trying and trying to research the location. All I was getting was that it was 30 minutes away from Carmona by car and on the side of a barren highway surrounded by farmland. I wanted to die! Would it still be possible to commute? Would it now take two hours? Would I have to wake up at 5:00 am?

View Larger Map

Click on the RIGHT arrow once and you will see Carmona. Point A was supposed to be my school. A 30 minute drive from Carmona!

Well...as it turns out technology still has its kinks. After barely sleeping that night I made my way to Carmona the next morning. The day started out as rough as the night before; as I got on the bus and paid the driver my €2 fare (which is how much everyone had told me it cost) I made my way to the back to sit down...suddenly, everyone was calling at me..."¡come back, come back...the driver is calling you!" ¿Pero, que ha pasado? Well, it turns out that the fare was actually €2.30, so I thoroughly embarrassed myself and held up everyone else getting on the bus!

After a long ride and many stops in the middle of nowhere, where people actually got off (see below) we made it to Carmona.

A Legitimate Bus Stop Where People Got Off

I immediately made my way to the tourist office and said: "You have to help me! I'm supposed to be working at the Maese Rodrigo School, but I don't know how to get there... the map says its a 30 minute drive from here! Is there a bus?" The woman laughed..."the school is 10 minutes walking down the road," she explained. I doubted her assuredness but I started the walk. On the way, I asked another woman if the knew where the school was. She pointed me in the same direction. Could it be, I thought? I hoped and hoped...suddenly I saw a school...was it the one? I read the name and let go of my breath. IES Maese Rodrigo. Home!

My School!

He Regresado/I've Returned!

Spain. Once you've been here for a few days its easy to forget that life hasn't always been sunshine, socializing, and siesta. Who wouldn't fall in love with a lifestyle that endorses leisurely afternoons spent with friends in small cafés and restaurants or that heartily advocates taking the famed Spanish siesta, which is a glorified afternoon power nap? Indeed, the Spanish are an interesting variety, especially here in the South where they are famous for their siestas, tapas, and flamenco. The way foreigners often describe the Spaniard is that "he works to live and never lives to work." Pros and cons of this motto aside, one must admit that the Spanish lifestyle is quite alluring.

I've been in Seville, Spain for five days now. After finishing up a challenging and tiring Senior year at Umass Amherst, I decided that the opportunity to live in Spain while working as a teacher's assistant and receiving grant money from the Spanish government was just too good to pass up. Having already fallen head over heels for one Spanish city (Granada) I hope that Seville will be equally enticing.

The program I am doing is called the North American Language and Culture Assistant/Auxiliares de Lengua y Cultura Norteamericanos grant program. The Spanish government will be paying me a monthly grant of €700 (as of today's exchange rate $1,026). So, basically, about $250 a week. Its not much, but it is enough to live comfortably in Spain...even in a big city like Seville! However, to be able to travel etc. most people in my position give private lessons for which they charge between €12-€15 per hour. I definitely plan to do this, not only for the money but also for the experience and the fact that our "real" jobs are only 12 hours a week!

For the first two weeks I am here I am staying in a "residence" which is basically a shared apartment. There are four bedrooms but right now only one other is occupied. I decided to pay a little extra for the residence versus a hostel because I didn't know how long it might take me to find an apartment, and knew how nice it would be to have my own room (and not 6-15 other roommates)!

The View of an Old Church from my Window

Luckily, I did find an apartment right away. It was actually the first (and only) apartment I looked at. Its not perfect...the bedroom is very small and the rent is high according to the locals (€300/month)...but I like the location near the city center yet on a calmer street as well as the landlady who is doing this program too for her third year! I'll be living with a French and a German girl and I'll probably move in this coming weekend.

Well, thats an introduction about me and the program...more on Spain to follow!