You may not have known the name of the town that I've lived in for the last 7 seven months. Mainly because I never fully mentioned it. The second school I was placed with for my BEDA assignment was Maria Immaculada in Puertollano. Puertollano is a very small town about 1 hour and 15 minutes south of Madrid on the AVE high speed train. It was once a thriving coal mining town … [Read more...]
BEDA Spain: Why I’m leaving
This update is long overdue. But I thought I should share that my renewal process with the BEDA Spain program was canceled. Why? My career aspirations and outlook for my future "adult self" has changed. And to continue to stifle in this role as an underpaid and disrepected ESL teacher in Spain seems a bit ridiculous. I no longer find happiness with the lesson plans because … [Read more...]
My BEDA Experience
I get a lot of questions about my time with the BEDA program. I made a short video today during my hike/walk up to the El Miner statute in my town. At the end of the month I will make a more in depth video reflecting on all aspects of the program such as: 1. Arrival/orientation/Administrative staff 2. Your school BEDA liason 3. Teachers/staff 4. Students 5. Online class: … [Read more...]
Apartment in Spain
Hey Travel Bugs! Just want to share my latest YouTube video! It's a tour of my first apartment in Spain. Let me know if you would like to see my current apartment. CLICK the picture to watch the video! httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsYAPo7iJIc Questions? Leave a comment down below! … [Read more...]
Teaching Nursery Students
Infantil: Nursery students Age range: 3-5 years old Group 1: 3 years old Group 2: 4 years old Group 3: 5 years old Classroom Size: 23-26 students Classroom dynamics: The students usually will sit in groups of 4- 6 around tables. The tables may have their names taped to the desks. This is very helpful when dealing with large groups of students. For example in my school … [Read more...]
Teaching with BEDA
Hey Travel Bugs! Do you like that name or is it weird? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I've been inspired to write a new series titled Teaching with BEDA. This series will follow in 3 parts and I will break down my experiences working with Infantil, Primary and Secondary (ESO) students. I will try to include lesson plans and tips on working with each age group. The first part of the series, … [Read more...]
Vacación Puente!
Puente is a term I've heard used when there is a holiday in the middle of the week. Usually the school will take off extra days either before or after the holiday. Vacacion! :) I swear Spaniards love taking vacations! I saw posted up today: Granted next week is Carnival week , oh how I wish I was flying to Trinidad, but we just came off vacation. Seriously though I. AM. … [Read more...]
Al Campo: Country Living
So many people in my new town have second homes in the country side or beach homes in Malaga. I've received so many invitations to visit "al campo". One of which came from my "dueños" ! They are a very lovely couple. In my head I referred to them as my "abuelos" :) On a lovely sunday afternoon I made the trek up to "my abuelos" country home for lunch and site seeing. I drove … [Read more...]
Renewing with BEDA
We (current teachers) received an email from BEDA with the renewal application for the 2014/2015 school year. It's due by the end of the month. Not sure if I am renewing with BEDA though. As you know I am applying to become a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer. That process is moving along but anything can happen at this point. Annnd one of my goals is to become a diplomat. … [Read more...]
Lice Outbreaks…
One major part of teaching to consider if you want to join this profession is dealing with OUTBREAKS! For example last month there was an outbreak of "gripe" which is the flu. OK…this is expected in the winter and with the children sitting in such close proximity to each other it's hard for them not to sneeze in each others face. Yesterday one teacher told me her son came … [Read more...]