I actually can't believe that there are only 7days left in TY! Such a scary thought. The next few days will be filled with preparation for next next Monday night.. TY NIGHT.. This night has been spoken about all throughout the year and it's very strange to think that this day is so soon. We will be performing our Zumba and Charleston routines as well as showcasing what we have done in each of our subjects throughout this busy year. I am also performing a piece which I wrote myself for the piano on the night which I am really nervous about now! Hopefully it won't go incredibly wrong.. haha. I finished my last project last night - English and it felt so so good! :D No more projects for a few months.. until we are coming back in September to begin our Leaving Cert course.. to say I am dreading this day is such an understatement. Although at the same time it will be a relief to get a sense of routine back, study can't be that bad.. can it?
It is actually frightening how fast the past year has gone by. I learned how to actually bake and cook a few dishes, to the delight of my keen mother. I had two amazing experiences for my work experience weeks - Trinity College and MADRID! - the best time of my life. I learned how to do pilates and Zumba dancing, even though I was completely useless at both. I partook in an African drumming workshop which was so interesting. I performed on stage for the Briary Gap competition in Mullingar, went on a creative writing workshop, visited the Yeats exhibition in Dublin, became involved in the Mini Company competition, received my Junior Certificate results, made alot of new friends and spent alot of time in the computer room! Overall it was a good year, and I've made memories which will last me a lifetime. :-)
Thursday, 17 May 2012
Tuesday, 1 May 2012
Last Month
I haven't blogged in so so long! The Friday before last the TY group participated in the Ian Daly Swim A Mile With A Smile and it was a really rewarding and worthwhile experience and in my opinion the best part of TY so far. I was in a group with six of my friends which made things alot easier, and we planned to swim a mile which we thought was daunting enough. To our suprise when we finished our first mile we did another, and another, and another! We ended up doing 4 miles between the 6 of us so we were really pleased. The Mcdonalds afterwards was a great reward for our hard work. :-)
The projects are building up as we're nearing to the end of the TY year. In English we watched the film ''Sylvia'' based on the life of the famous poet Sylvia Plath who suffered with depression for the majority of her short life. Her career and success is very inspirational and our class our making a scrapbook with some of her works.
Last week we made a trip to Glendalough and we went on a retreat. The weather wasn't great so it was good to get home and in to fresh clothes!
Only a few weeks left! Kind of a scary thought..
The projects are building up as we're nearing to the end of the TY year. In English we watched the film ''Sylvia'' based on the life of the famous poet Sylvia Plath who suffered with depression for the majority of her short life. Her career and success is very inspirational and our class our making a scrapbook with some of her works.
Last week we made a trip to Glendalough and we went on a retreat. The weather wasn't great so it was good to get home and in to fresh clothes!
Only a few weeks left! Kind of a scary thought..
Tuesday, 13 March 2012
Busy TYs
It was a sort of culture shock to be back in school last Monday morning after only arriving back from Spain on Sunday night, I miss it so much! Its nice to be back eating regular food though, and of course experiencing the gorgeous Irish weather... not. Alot of stuff has been happening over the last two weeks in our TY lives:
Last Wednesday we were given a drumming workshop by a man named Dave who was really talented at playing the drums and he gave us an interesting workshop for the whole day, my hands were sore at the end of it! We got to use different instruments from the percussion family which were from different parts of Africa and were decorated beautifully with different skins, threads and patterns. I really enjoyed the workshop because I'm realy interested in the rhythmic aspect of music and I thought that it was great that we got to try something new.
On Thursday the author Debbie Thomas came in to speak to us about creative writing and gave us tips on how to write a good story. She was really lovely and I found her to be quite inspirational - she has written children books of her own and is a successful author, something that I'd love to be perhaps when I finish college.
Yesterday we had a film workshop in the library where all of the TYs watched a film called 'Sometimes In April' which was a film highlighting the genocide which occured in 1994 in Rwanda in Africa. It involved two tribes in Africa who were having a civil argument in which over 100 days, 1 million people were brutally murdered. I found the film to be upsetting at parts, for example a seen where a group of school girls of about our age were shot, but for the mostpart I enjoyed it and I think it had a very strong message. I feel it was important for us, the TYs, to see this film so that we realise that the misfortunate people in Africa and of different parts of the Third World need our help and that although not always publicised, there is a tremendous amount of injustice and in-equality still in many parts of our world. An example of recently publicity is the hype around criminal Kony, which many people are now more aware of thanks to social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook. I'd like to finish this this blog post with a quote which I felt was very powerful from the film - ''We are sisters, we will stay together''.
Last Wednesday we were given a drumming workshop by a man named Dave who was really talented at playing the drums and he gave us an interesting workshop for the whole day, my hands were sore at the end of it! We got to use different instruments from the percussion family which were from different parts of Africa and were decorated beautifully with different skins, threads and patterns. I really enjoyed the workshop because I'm realy interested in the rhythmic aspect of music and I thought that it was great that we got to try something new.
On Thursday the author Debbie Thomas came in to speak to us about creative writing and gave us tips on how to write a good story. She was really lovely and I found her to be quite inspirational - she has written children books of her own and is a successful author, something that I'd love to be perhaps when I finish college.
Yesterday we had a film workshop in the library where all of the TYs watched a film called 'Sometimes In April' which was a film highlighting the genocide which occured in 1994 in Rwanda in Africa. It involved two tribes in Africa who were having a civil argument in which over 100 days, 1 million people were brutally murdered. I found the film to be upsetting at parts, for example a seen where a group of school girls of about our age were shot, but for the mostpart I enjoyed it and I think it had a very strong message. I feel it was important for us, the TYs, to see this film so that we realise that the misfortunate people in Africa and of different parts of the Third World need our help and that although not always publicised, there is a tremendous amount of injustice and in-equality still in many parts of our world. An example of recently publicity is the hype around criminal Kony, which many people are now more aware of thanks to social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook. I'd like to finish this this blog post with a quote which I felt was very powerful from the film - ''We are sisters, we will stay together''.
Friday, 2 March 2012
Experience of a Lifetime.
Work experience has by far been the best thing about TY for me so far. It is so beneficial, you get to feel what it's like to be working and what life is, and can be, like after school.
I would say that this week here working in La Canada, the bilingual school in Madrid, has been the best experience I have ever had, not only in TY, but in my life to date. I spent my week working in many different classes of the school, with ages ranging from 3 years old to about 11 or 12. I was basically assisting the teachers to teach the students, mostly in English classes, helping with pronunciation and understanding, but sometimes I was in Spanish classes where I was observing and myself learning Spanish. Most days I helped give aural exams to the kids which are kind of like the exams we have in our school for French and Spanish. The questions were like "Do you have any pets and describe them" and "Describe your family and tell me their birthdays". I really enjoyed going through the questions with them and trying to explain meanings to them, I was forced to use some Spanish too which was good for me.
In the Spanish bilingual schooling system three subjects must be taught through English, in this school they were Science, Arts&Crafts and Mathematics. I was really impressed by the children's level of English especially in the science classes, they were learning about the solar system and all of the planets, they actually knew more than me even though they were speaking in what was a foreign language to them. In the classes I was in with the infants, I was teaching them the English names of all of the animals, such as "monkey" and "giraffe", stuff like that. I helped them do finger painting, read them stories through my bad Spanish pronunciation and helped to teach them stuff like the days of the week and numbers. In Spain children start school when they're three and they have to do the full day, there's no going home at half past one like Ireland.
The classes which I enjoyed most were the music classes. The music teacher was brilliant, so friendly and really talented. She had a very minimal amount of English so I spoke to her in Spanish. All of the children learn to play the recorder in school, and I taught them an Irish reel which I knew from when I did recorder when I was younger, they really liked it and some of them were attempting to Irish dance.. aha it was hilarious. In Spain from 1-3 is a time of rest, so the children either go home or stay and eat in the school, it was weird having such a long break during the day, comparing to our school lunch of 40 minutes..
Today, which was my last day, there was a trip to the Royal Palace in Madrid which I accompanied the 5th and 6th graders on. One of the students Isabella loves speaking English, so during the tour she translated what the tour guide was saying in Spanish to me in English which was very helpful. The children all had to take notes in English as it was a part of one of their cultural projects.
I am so glad that I had the opportunity to work in a school like this which such a nice atmosphere with lovely students, teachers and workers. I am not looking forward to tyhe end of the day when I have to say goodbye to all of the kids, they are so nice. I would definately recommend working abroad to anyone interested in further work experiences involving teaching English to children. For me this wasn't just work experience but an experience of a lifetime, and I will never forget it :-)
I would say that this week here working in La Canada, the bilingual school in Madrid, has been the best experience I have ever had, not only in TY, but in my life to date. I spent my week working in many different classes of the school, with ages ranging from 3 years old to about 11 or 12. I was basically assisting the teachers to teach the students, mostly in English classes, helping with pronunciation and understanding, but sometimes I was in Spanish classes where I was observing and myself learning Spanish. Most days I helped give aural exams to the kids which are kind of like the exams we have in our school for French and Spanish. The questions were like "Do you have any pets and describe them" and "Describe your family and tell me their birthdays". I really enjoyed going through the questions with them and trying to explain meanings to them, I was forced to use some Spanish too which was good for me.
In the Spanish bilingual schooling system three subjects must be taught through English, in this school they were Science, Arts&Crafts and Mathematics. I was really impressed by the children's level of English especially in the science classes, they were learning about the solar system and all of the planets, they actually knew more than me even though they were speaking in what was a foreign language to them. In the classes I was in with the infants, I was teaching them the English names of all of the animals, such as "monkey" and "giraffe", stuff like that. I helped them do finger painting, read them stories through my bad Spanish pronunciation and helped to teach them stuff like the days of the week and numbers. In Spain children start school when they're three and they have to do the full day, there's no going home at half past one like Ireland.
The classes which I enjoyed most were the music classes. The music teacher was brilliant, so friendly and really talented. She had a very minimal amount of English so I spoke to her in Spanish. All of the children learn to play the recorder in school, and I taught them an Irish reel which I knew from when I did recorder when I was younger, they really liked it and some of them were attempting to Irish dance.. aha it was hilarious. In Spain from 1-3 is a time of rest, so the children either go home or stay and eat in the school, it was weird having such a long break during the day, comparing to our school lunch of 40 minutes..
Today, which was my last day, there was a trip to the Royal Palace in Madrid which I accompanied the 5th and 6th graders on. One of the students Isabella loves speaking English, so during the tour she translated what the tour guide was saying in Spanish to me in English which was very helpful. The children all had to take notes in English as it was a part of one of their cultural projects.
I am so glad that I had the opportunity to work in a school like this which such a nice atmosphere with lovely students, teachers and workers. I am not looking forward to tyhe end of the day when I have to say goodbye to all of the kids, they are so nice. I would definately recommend working abroad to anyone interested in further work experiences involving teaching English to children. For me this wasn't just work experience but an experience of a lifetime, and I will never forget it :-)
Monday, 27 February 2012
Estoy en Espana! :-) !!
For my second work experience I had the opportunity to travel to Madrid and work in a bilingual school there, where both English and Spanish is spoken. I thought that this would be a great way for me to brush up on my Spanish, aswell as being able to experience teaching English in a foreign country.
I arrived on Friday evening and my Spanish friend, Patricia, brought my mam and I back to her brothers apartment to meet all of the family and have dinner, which was tapas - a traditional set of dishes in Spain. Alot of dishes were set out in the middle of the table and we could just pick as we went. They were delicious but some of them were very strange tasting. After the main food everyone ate fruit, I found this kind of strange because usually people don´t eat alot of fruit in Ireland, especially before their dessert.
On Saturday I went on a walking tour of Madrid, it is one of the most beautiful countries I have ever been in and the weather is so gorgeous, today its 20 degrees which is a change from Irelands February weather anyway. There were loads of musicians and performers in the streets and there was just generally a great atmosphere. Yeserday I went to ´"Los Mercados" which are markets set up in Madrid towns and villages on Saturday mornings. I only bought a few bracelets and things for friends, but you can buy everything from clothes to cooking utensils.
Day 1
Today was my first day in the school, I got up at about half 7 and we left the apartment at half 8, arriving at about 10 to 9 when I met the principal, teachers and other English and American students who have been doing work placements in the school, some for 2 years now! Everyone was so friendly and welcoming and doing their best to speak slowly considering that my Spanish is hardly brilliant. I was then brought up to my first class where Science was being taught through English to the students. I was really suprised at how good their level of English was, they were able to talk to me and understand what I was saying almost perfectly. They were curious about Ireland and asked me some of the most random questions I have ever heard.. such as ´"What is your favorite amphibian?" and "Do you prefer carnivores or herbivores?" The children were all so lovely though, so welcoming :) In my second class I helped the students with pernounciation of English words and explaining their meanings to them. We then had a small break of a half hour where we got tea and fruit to eat in the cafeteria. After the next two classes the children have a two hour break which is extremely common in Spain. Some of the children go home and eat lunch or some stay here and play in the yard. During this time I sat outside wth two of the American girlsin the sun and I am now usig my spare time in the computer room, so far I am having an excellent experience :D I love work experience!!
I arrived on Friday evening and my Spanish friend, Patricia, brought my mam and I back to her brothers apartment to meet all of the family and have dinner, which was tapas - a traditional set of dishes in Spain. Alot of dishes were set out in the middle of the table and we could just pick as we went. They were delicious but some of them were very strange tasting. After the main food everyone ate fruit, I found this kind of strange because usually people don´t eat alot of fruit in Ireland, especially before their dessert.
On Saturday I went on a walking tour of Madrid, it is one of the most beautiful countries I have ever been in and the weather is so gorgeous, today its 20 degrees which is a change from Irelands February weather anyway. There were loads of musicians and performers in the streets and there was just generally a great atmosphere. Yeserday I went to ´"Los Mercados" which are markets set up in Madrid towns and villages on Saturday mornings. I only bought a few bracelets and things for friends, but you can buy everything from clothes to cooking utensils.
Day 1
Today was my first day in the school, I got up at about half 7 and we left the apartment at half 8, arriving at about 10 to 9 when I met the principal, teachers and other English and American students who have been doing work placements in the school, some for 2 years now! Everyone was so friendly and welcoming and doing their best to speak slowly considering that my Spanish is hardly brilliant. I was then brought up to my first class where Science was being taught through English to the students. I was really suprised at how good their level of English was, they were able to talk to me and understand what I was saying almost perfectly. They were curious about Ireland and asked me some of the most random questions I have ever heard.. such as ´"What is your favorite amphibian?" and "Do you prefer carnivores or herbivores?" The children were all so lovely though, so welcoming :) In my second class I helped the students with pernounciation of English words and explaining their meanings to them. We then had a small break of a half hour where we got tea and fruit to eat in the cafeteria. After the next two classes the children have a two hour break which is extremely common in Spain. Some of the children go home and eat lunch or some stay here and play in the yard. During this time I sat outside wth two of the American girlsin the sun and I am now usig my spare time in the computer room, so far I am having an excellent experience :D I love work experience!!
Tuesday, 31 January 2012
Drama Queens
Last Tuesday we packed up our costumes, props and scripts and headed off to the Mullingar Arts Centre for the Briery Gap drama competition for TYs. We arrived there at about half 10 and still dreary and sleepy-eyed, we set our eyes on the stage on which we would be performing infront of the judges. Nerves kicked in as we all came to the conclusion that we would have no microphones and would be forced to ''project our voices'' - in other words.. shout. The stage was big but thankfully not as big as we'd been expecting - something like the O2. Our play, based on the poem by Seamus Heaney - Midterm Break - was the first to have a rehearsal on the stage. Interrupting our rehearsal was a woman who seemd to be in charge of the competition, letting us know that the competition was infact about to start! Start? We had bearly finished our first rehearsal on stage.. none of the other groups were going to get a chance to get a feel of the stage or get any last minute practises fitted in. There was a scramble as many of the TYs ran backstage to get in to their costumes and get organised. It was our groups turn first. We awaited nervously in the wings and stepping out on the the bear, black stage realised that all of the spotlights were focused directly on us. You couldn't see anyone in the audience, which at that stage was only our English teachers, the judge and class Folda who didn't participate in the competition, making it alot easier to recite our lines. Our play went as well as it could of, with Elaina giving a really convincing few tears, well done Elaina! Glad that our turn was over, we got changed back in to our uniforms and watched the other plays - Concrete Angel, Titch Miller and 'What Are You Looking At'. I found both watching and performing in the drama competition really enjoyable and in the end was really glad that we took part in the whole thing. The other plays were actually brilliant and all the effort that everyone put in really did pay off in the end, there were some students in our year which I never would have realised were so good at acting - Aoife O'Neill, Vicky Kenna and Grace Darcy especially! After the plays we headed off for a delicious McDonalds and soon after went home.
Overall I had a brilliant day, thanks to the English teacher for organising it. :)
Overall I had a brilliant day, thanks to the English teacher for organising it. :)
Thursday, 26 January 2012
Fighting Words - Creative Writing Workshop :)
Last Monday our English teacher Ms. Brogan brought us, class Eriu, in to Dublin near Croke Park in to 'Fighting Words' where we got a creative writing experience. Sorcha, the girl who was giving us the talk, was very friendly and helped our class write an essay which was about two girls - Charlotte and Katie. They were best friends with very different personalities - Charlotte was a popular and out-going whilst Katie was shy and hid in her shadows. Ms. Brogan has asked us to continue on the story which we started with Sorcha. I found the workshop really interesting and found the experience really enjoyable. If I'd known about Fighting Words before I had my work experience organised I probably would have applied there because I love creative writing and it seemed like a relaxed and welcoming working environment and I'd be interested in going to another workshop there in the future.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)