I had a truly lovely week at Pueblo Ingles. All the people were really nice and the venue was fantastic. It's tiring having to talk so much, especially as I was (apparently) the fastest talker in town and had to keep slowing down...
We had breakfast 9-10, a buffet of almost any breakfast you could want. Then 4 hours of chatting - for the 1st 3 you get one Spaniard per hour, but you must give them a 10 minute rest at the end of each hour. (It's really hard for them as Spanish is completely banned all week). For the last hour it's a 2-2 session, they give suggested topics but the main thing is just to talk naturally and correct systematic errors.
Then it's lunch hour when you can choose from 2 dishes, but there are 2 courses and dessert and a bottle of wine per table. Then siesta until 5 when we gathered again for group activities.
This is usually some kind of TESOL game like 'all those who', or your group must invent a fantasy product along with ad (which you must act out), jingle, poster etc. Or you may have to choose the next leader of the world from a set of personalities, etc. There will be a certain amount of performance to do but it's always comedy ('Ladies, are you always tired when your husband comes home? Just slip new Super Drooper in his tea and your troubles are over!' was one example!) and there are costumes, and it's only a couple of minutes, so don't worry, it's a scream.
Then you will have some more one to ones or a presentation to watch, or you may have to do a telephone conversation. You get one of these hours during the week as free time.
After that there was some kind of entertainment provided by Anglos or Spaniards, then dinner: more lush food and wine, then the bar opens and you are encouraged to hang out there and chat more.
We had two excursions into La Alberca, the nearby medieval town which is lovely and full of history. The scenery was beautiful and enough to give mental relaxation despite 100 hours of talking! We had dinner in town twice and learned to drink from la bota - the leather bag of wine - what a rush!! I managed 19 seconds, but the Spanish could do over a minute no worries.
All in all a great time for the cost of the flights and two nights in a cheap Madrid hostel. The MC, Richi and the PD, Marta were really nice and without their understanding it would have been hard for me on the Wednesday when it was the 1st anniversary of my father's death. They made everything ok; I would definitely go again, and I would surely recommend it for anyone - you learn how to listen! Very important - and how to explain a word without translating, and some useful classroom activities.
The Spaniards in the group were almost all from Madrid and they are still arranging to meet up in bars and have mini Pueblo Ingles for more, regular practice. Everyone has eachother's email, which you can opt out of, and there is a group site on Photobucket, so everyone is still in touch.
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Hi,
Ecuador is great, thanks! I've had to do a few things in a hurry but I'm used to that. Kallen is right.. The other day a bloke from the statistics office knocked on my door but when I told him I was leaving soon he was happy and didn't even want to see my return ticket, though I offered to show it. I was gutted at Heathrow when Iberia made me buy a return before letting me fly - I knew they wouldn't ask for it this end even tough it is a requirement, and they didn`t. But I can change it for a bit more money - it's valid for 1 year.
Still, I got bumped up to business class from Madrid to Quito - what luxury!!! Reclining seats, good food and free wine... almost made up for the financial shock.
How are you? Enjoy Pueblo Ingles!
Hey Alix! Good to see your post as I am preparing for Vaughtown, I'm going on 4th - 9th July, can't wait. How's Ecuador?
Yes...I totally agree with Alix especially if you are not coming on a work visa. If the police stop you and ask for documents, you can always lie and show them (your tourist visa) that you are visiting. But make sure your friends know your situation so you don't get caught in a lie. If you get caught, you can always bribe the police by giving them money; hoping they will let you go. But the chances of them accepting your bribe is 50/50.
In regards to disorganization and lack of discipline, I hope my school is just a rare case. It is hard for me to tolerate the bad behavior because I'm used (in my country) to dealing with the discipline and not letting it persist. All of the tasks that they give me to do and only little time to complete is totally unfair. My employer's expectations and the expectations in the contract are totally the opposite.
I hope that you are not working at the more expensive schools. That is my experience now. Students here are failproof. No matter how bad they are and despite the grade that I give them, the administration is just going to change the grade so they can pass and move to the next grade.
Sounds like you had a great time Alix!
NO!! Best to keep a low profile with officials in South America as far as I can make out! That way you might get to stay longer.... I think I can handle disorganisation to a certain extent. Some of my classes will be 12-14 year olds, so I will have to learn about discipline, what works and what doesn't.. I'm not exactly authoritarian but obviously I need to learn how to keep them interested to teach them effectively. It just slightly worries me that a teacher is leaving just before the end of her programme.. why? If this is normal it can't be too good for the kids, surely? Obviously the whole thing will be a huge learning curve whatever happens.
...Obviously, I didn't mean it was great about the school being a bit disorganised. I'm sure you'll be alright though! Didn't you say you had had quite a bit of contact with the FAO there?
Thats great Alix! :)
I'm sure it'll do Kallen the world of good to see a friendly face! :)
Wow that's fabulous! Have a fabulous time! Good luck and keep us posted x
Yeah, I just spoke to Kallen on the phone. (I got a chip with lots of free international minutes on the plane back from Spain!). I'm going to visit him on Wednesday or Thursday before heading into the jungle. He seemed ok but said his school is totally disorganised and the discipline is bad. I guess it might be the same at my school, as they've just said that I could start even sooner to replace a teacher who's leaving, so I won't have as much settling in time as I was hoping for. Still, I should get some shadowing time and they say their system is easy to follow.... just going over my notes and trying to remember all the things I learned.. seems like ages ago!
Awesome post Alix! :)
Sounds like you had a wicked time!
Oooh Ecuador Tuesday morning!! Cool! Its Monday afternoon for me! How exciting!!
Yes, on Tuesday Morning! I'm trying to contact Kallen.
Thanks for your report. So glad to hear that you enjoyed it.
Are you still going to Ecuador?
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