Greetings from England ... CHISPA!

March 20th, 2010
Safe,

I’m Chispa, but in Chile I am formally known as Carlos Ruiz. I’m 21 and I enrolled in this degree in 2007. Nowadays I’m living in Manchester (England) because of a Foreign language assistant programme sponsored by the British Council. I’m working as a Spanish assistant in a secondary school named “Altrincham grammar school for girls” which is located in southern Manchester.
My experience at work has been just amazing, I’ve learnt so much about teaching that sometimes I think practice is much more important than theory. My school works a cycle of 8 days and my students are girls from year 8 till year 13 (girls between 12 and 17 years). My work is divided into three main activities; Spanish speaking practice with the older students (years 11, 12 and 13), supporting non-native Spanish teachers in the classroom (year 9) and doing Spanish vocabulary games and activities for the younger students (year 8).
I think it has been one of the best experiences of my life, not just because of my English oral practice in the U.K or my teaching practice at the school, but because of all I’ve learnt from people and from myself in just 5 or 6 months. Our cultures (British and Chilean) are so different in so many ways that everyday is a new chance to learn and teach something new.
I’m really happy of having this opportunity in my life and I really hope that most of you can have it too. My only advice is: “ always remember where you come from and where you are going to”, and no one will be able to stop your dreams and intentions.

In a bit people!

Chispa