My visit on Erasmus+ to IES La Mar school in Xàbia
I am a teacher and head of the English department at the Euro Akademie Bamberg, a vocational college for modern languages and international communication in Germany. After realising that teachers could also take part in the Erasmus+ exchange programme, I began my search to find a school that would be able to accommodate me in Xàbia in Spain. I have had an apartment in Spain for 6 years and was looking to do the exchange in a place I knew. Having been exposed to the expat community in Xàbia on my visits in the past, it was time for me to see the real Xàbia from a Spanish perspective and what a delight this was. I was thrilled when I received a reply from Ignacio [Nacho] Signes stating that IES La Mar would be able to accommodate me. The schools Erasmus+ team put together a fantastic timetable to keep me occupied throughout the week.
I arrived at the school on the morning of 5th June and was met by Nacho. I was taken a tour around the school where I discovered the various departments of the school and met among others Àngela Boronat, the principal of the school, who welcomed me with open arms. I then visited the school’s department for special needs pupils where the pupils had made me breakfast, and this was a most pleasant experience to see how the school applies the most up-to-date approaches to make inclusion and integral part of the school. I then had the pleasure of meeting the German teacher Maria Carmen and her students who gave me a presentation in German about Xàbia and its surroundings as well as on the general history and culture of Spain.
From Tuesday to Thursday, I was introduced the to vocational institute. I visited all three departments of administration, IT, and health, where I had the opportunity to try on virtual glasses for the first time, learn about the advantages and disadvantages of artificial intelligence and see the extensive equipment the school has at its disposal for teaching health studies. This was all very impressive indeed. I also took part in a school conference with the leadership team in the school. It was also a pleasure and an honour to take part in the marking team with Nacho, David and Alan when students were conducting their final presentations for their exams. On Friday, I had the pleasure of visiting some local companies where students do their internships before returning to Valencia for my return flight back to Berlin.
Additionally, I’d like to add that I came to the school with a basic knowledge of Spanish and after once week, my understanding of the language excelled to levels I could not have imagined. I even picked up some Valeniciano along the way. None of this would have been possible without the conscientiousness of the schools teaching team and everyone I came into contact with, and I would like to thank each and every one of you for giving me the opportunity to visit your school. Our school in Germany would also like to extend its invitation should any of your teachers wish to visit us. And finally, of course, a huge thank you goes to Nacho for being so enthusiastic about my visit and for really taking care of my visit. I feel I have left Xàbia this time with and increased knowledge of the Spanish school system, but moreover, I have left knowing that when I return, I have some very good friends there.
Many Thanks
Donald Smith
