Last 14th of September, we welcomed our group of German students taking part in the exchange programme which the School organises each year with this country. Over a whole week, the German students have taken part in School activities alongside our own Secondary students. They got to know the dynamic in our classrooms and spent much of their day-to-day with their Spanish schoolmates.
Every afternoon, students taking part were able to enjoy different activities outside School, getting to know Madrid and the surrounding area. On the 18th, we also organised a visit to Toledo where they were able to discover some of this city’s most prized sights and landmarks, for example, El Greco’s house, the Cathedral and the Jewish Quarter.
At the School, we are absolutely convinced that travelling to another country to practice language skills and gain in confidence is a great experience. This allows students not only to improve their speaking ability, but also helps teenagers to build their own self-esteem and self-confidence.
It is also a fun way of living together in different, un-familiar situations. It promotes patience and understanding and it allows them to discover other cultures and a different way of life, in a different home environment. These are ultimately an advantage to students who grow and mature on a personal level, in what is a globalised world, in which they live. This will certainly help them in their future personal and professional life.
We shall say goodbye to our German friends on the 20th. We shall meet agin in Germany. Until then! It has been a great pleasure to have you at the British Council School.