Tutor English to a Family in Spain

I came with the goals of observing and adapting to a new culture, improving my Spanish closer to fluency, and learning to be more independent as I travel alone. I have definitely made progress on all three of these goals. Girona is a stunning city with gorgeous streets and sights to stroll through. More than that, though, were the kindness of the locals; while there, I spoke with numerous vendors who were so patient with my Spanish and kindly shared a bit of their perspective and life with myself. It was fulfilling to be able to communicate with these people in Spanish, and meaningfully, not just small talk. Truly a life-changing experience. P.S Don't forget menstrual products and board games.

I really enjoyed my teaching experience in Madrid. I was placed in family with 5 teenagers, 3 of which were triplets. The family provided me with a private room and bath. My family was very busy and the parents worked long hours. The kids had tons of homework from their school so scheduling lessons was sometimes hard. One of the family's goals were for the triplets to pass the Cambridge English Language exam. All of my lessons were tailored to prepare for the exam which had an oral section, a listening section and a written section.With the older 2 siblings I helped one with her high school English homework and with other, we analyzed popular songs. When I requested practice materials for the test the family complied. They gave me access to a computer and printer so that I could print practice exams. In the end 2 or the 3 triplets took the exam and one of them passed and the other got a very high mark. The significance of this test is that many doors will open for the kids with this high level of English proficiency. I am very proud of them and what we accomplished together. The mom and I spoke everyday about all sorts of issues and we became friends. It's been a year since I was in Madrid and we've stayed in contact. The family also helped me sign up for a Spanish class and to plan a trip to Zaragoza where I was able to see the Holy Week processions.

My goals for doing this program were to become a better English teacher and to get to know the city where am I staying. Since being on the program for a month, I definitely feel like I have accomplished my goal of feeling comfortable in my city. My goal with being a better English teacher has been narrowed down a little bit; in other words, it has gone from the general (wanting to be good) to the specific (help my family improve their English skills in tailored ways given their personal goals and feedback). The Tower of Hercules is the local UNESCO World Heritage site - a must-visit for anyone in Coruña or Galicia. Another highlight was traveling to Ponferrada, in the province of Leon, and visit the 12th-century Templar castle located there. I have been to the beach in Coruña many times but only once was the whole city gathered on it. La Noche de San Juan, a celebration of the summer solstice, took place on June 24th and I will never forget how the normally empty and quaint beach was filled with tens of thousands of people and dozens of bonfires. People came from all over to be a part of the festivities and I am so glad to have been here in Coruña to witness it and soak in the atmosphere of a celebration unlike any other.