EXCITING NEWS: OUR SCHOOL RADIO PROGRAMME ON IVOOX HAS BEEN REVIVED!

First of all, apologies for not having posted in a while: Things have been rather busy at school lately, but for a very good reason! We’ve been hard at work developing an exciting new project: our very own school radio station, as part of Radio na Biblio, a programme supported by the Consellería de Educación da Xunta de Galicia.

Over the past few months, I’ve been collaborating with fellow teachers and students to design, script and record podcasts that bring language learning to life. These tasks have allowed our learners to practise their English and other languages they study at school in creative ways, while developing valuable communication and teamwork skills.

The first series of podcasts my students recorded focuses on a highly relevant topic: household finances and how to save money. These episodes were researched and recorded by my C1 students, who tackled the challenge of speaking clearly and informatively about managing personal finances.

So, you can now listen to our programmes on iVoox! I hope you enjoy them and find them useful! Stay tuned for more content! 

A TOUR AROUND LANGUAGES: A CELEBRATION OF MULTILINGUALISM AT EOI PONTEVEDRA

Dear fellow teachers!

First of all, I’d like to apologize for the long silence! It has been quite a busy time at school: You tell me! and I haven’t had the chance to update the blog as much as I’d like. So sorry about that! But I’m excited to finally share some great news about one of the most enjoyable and ambitious events my school has ever held to kick-start the year. 

This week we hosted a three-day event that brought together students and teachers from all language departments in a collaborative way. We called it "A Tour Around Languages", (Unha viaxe polas linguas), and it was an absolute success! The aim of the activity was to expose students to different languages and cultures while engaging in hands-on learning experiences. We also wanted to encourage them to find relatives or friends who might be interested in joining our school, as registration is still open! Not a bad idea to kill two birds with one stone!

The concept was simple yet powerful: each department set up a station where students could take part in an activity related to the language being taught. As students arrived at the first station, they were handed a passport, and their goal was to collect a stamp from each language station they visited. It was so much fun! The whole experience turned out to be a wonderful way to encourage participation and curiosity, as students were motivated to visit all the stations to fill their passports.

The tour itself took about an hour and happened at different times during the day: students from different shifts moved from station to station at their own pace engaging autonomously with each language activity in a relaxed manner. While teachers were present to guide the process, the students took ownership of their learning experience, which was quite beneficial.

The English Department's activity was a highlight for many! We chose a culturally relevant task: making a cup of tea!! – a quintessential British tradition, indeed. Students watched a short video tutorial on how to prepare the perfect cuppa. Following the video, they were given a series of cards with steps from the instructions, which they had to rearrange in the correct order. It was not only a language exercise but also a gastronomical experience, as students were invited to taste some buttery shortbread biscuits! 

Other language stations featured similarly alluring activities, from learning basic vocabulary with a quiz game in Portuguese to exploring popular songs in Italian. The diverse range of activities ensured that there was something for everyone, and students expressed great enthusiasm for the variety of languages and cultures they got to explore.

Overall, the event was a tremendous success. We are really proud! Students left the school with smiles, full passports, a small prize and a deeper appreciation for the languages we teach. Teachers were equally pleased with how smoothly everything ran and how engaged the students were throughout the tour.

We are definitely planning future editions of "A Tour Around Languages" and... who knows? It might turn into an annual school tradition that continues to kick-start the school year by inspiring a love for languages and cultures in our students. You should definitely give it a try!

WHY TEACHING SHADOWING IS A MUST FOR TEACHERS!

Hi there, again!

You all know me well, don't you? As an English teacher, I am always looking for new ways to improve my teaching skills and learn from others, and I have been lucky enough: At @eoi_pontevedra I have always had the opportunity to thrive thanks to our "Teaching Shadowing Scheme". We have been working on it for years now!

However, earlier this year we were given the chance to take that school project the extra mile when being accepted by the "Observa_accion" programme, endorsed by the Consellería de Educación in Xunta de Galicia. A more structured way of teaching development was coming into play!

This official action plan involves teachers at schools observing each other's classes and providing invaluable feedback and unrelenting support, indeed. So, we took part in training sessions on what classroom observation is and learned a lot about how to provide effective peer-to-peer feedback.

As you may all know, there are numerous benefits to peer observation. Here are some I have identified as a wrap-up of the programme:

Firstly, I have discovered different teaching styles. The experience has allowed me to see different classroom practices and techniques that I have already incorporated into my own teaching routines. For example, I had never played Jenga in class before! Have you?

Secondly, I have received constructive feedback on my own teaching and have been able to identify areas for improvement. I undoubtedly need to speak less in class and let my students take over! 

Moreover, I have also been involved in a culture of collaboration and professional development within my own language school. I have definitely built upon my own trust and respect for my colleagues. If that does not lead to a positive work environment, what does?

All in all, teaching shadowing is an essential tool for language teachers struggling to improve their teaching abilities and learn from their colleagues. It is a win-win situation for both, the teacher who observes and the teacher being observed, and leads to a more effective school community.

If you have not tried it yet, you should definitely give it a go. The initiative has been enriching and I hope my school carries on with it in the future. Just in case you don't take my word for it... watch the video below. It won´t leave you indifferent!

YOUR OPINION COUNTS!

In the age when information is power, the school is willing to gather as much data as possible from students to identify new needs. Our main goal is to set a new course scheme for the future and make a valuable contribution to your learning. I, as a teacher myself, would also like to work on how to improve my lessons and enhance our classroom atmosphere. 

That is why I am inviting you to take a bit of your time to complete the two surveys below before 22 March. Please, help us make the school a better place! Your insights and feedback will step both the school's and my efforts to enhance school life:

• School Survey
• Class Survey

Bear in mind that the answers are totally anonymous, so do not be afraid to complete the questions listed above. I would really appreciate it!

Thanks in advance!

END OF THE YEAR EXTRAVAGANZA!

 end-of-the-year ceremony. I just did not know how to thank my students for their endless effort and constant support. So, I came up with this idea of designing original certificates to encourage them all go on with their learning.

At the end of the year, we awarded the diplomas and recalled a great year of learning. Now I hope they all go ace that C1 test! 💪

E TI DE QUEN VES SENDO?

Dear all, 👋 

I am proud to present you with the project that our school has been carrying out this year regarding idioms. In the presentation below, you will be able to see a lot of different idiomatic expressions in the different languages that you can study at school. I am particularly proud of the English section, as a lot of familiar faces appear. Please, take a look 👀 and judge for yourselves!

Do not hesitate to share this wonderful work. Show your family and friends what we are up to at school.

I would like to thank my C1 students for their contributions and enthusiasm!

OUR SCHOOL LIBRARY STRIKES BACK!

Our school library is re-opening its doors and getting ready to give students a warm welcome. If you are into books, this is a place you can't miss!

A PERFECT SUMMER BREAK

Dear all, 

I am sure you all agree with me on the fact that this has been a very weird year. However, that does not necessarily mean summer must also be odd, or does it? If you want to make a difference this season, how about embarking on a new experience? Visit our online library and indulge in the valuable resources it provides. Whether you are on a staycation or getting away, this is just the perfect site to take with you! Staying safe does not mean bored! 💪

END OF SCHOOL YEAR 19-20

Dear all!

As everyone knows, this has been a really weird course to teach for very obvious reasons. However, my C1 students have met the challenge and lived up to my expectations. A teacher's dream come true!

Now it is high time to look back and reflect upon the work that has been carried out. Our journey has come to an end! But we have first built up our own memories together to help us recall a great year of joint successful learning!

Here is the video with my students' contribution to drawing a final picture of our year. Judge for yourselves! What do you think the year was like?

SCHOOL LIBRARY RETURN SERVICE

Our school has been drawing up guidelines to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. One of the safety measures has been taken by our school library team. They have just set up a new book return service. Books will have to be returned to the library following the steps above. Give us a call and we will be more than glad to get all your library stuff back under the safest circumstances!

SCHOOL LIBRARY SURVEY

First and foremost, I would like to thank all the students who have already used our library service to enhance our school community life. As part of our project to improve school facilities, we would like to identify new needs to set a course for the future. We want to learn a lot more about you! Why have you used our school library and what is your experience of it? We are inviting everyone to take a bit of their time to complete the quick survey below before 21 June. We want everyone to help us make the library a place they want to be. Your insights and feedback will step up our efforts. Thanks a lot in advance!

EMERGENCY REMOTE TEACHING SURVEY

The school has inevitably embarked on this new adventure of remote teaching and we are looking forward to finding out whether the process is challenging enough or just back-breaking! In the age when information is power, we are willing to gather as many data as possible from students taking part in the online learning process at school. Our main goal is to identify needs and make a valuable contribution to learning.

How are you coping? Is distance learning effective enough for you? Please, do not hesitate to fill in the form below and help us gather information to continue to improve.

MAIN TARGET: C1 CERTIFICATE

Glad and proud that the CEFORE Pontevedra has counted on me to teach one of their teacher training courses. I have just plunged into this new adventure helping eleven incredibly motivated teachers achieve their final goal: the C1 certificate. Every Friday afternoon until the end of May I'll be providing them with the right strategies and skills to ace the test! We have just had our first session. Read the headlines they have designed themselves at the end of it and gather your own conclusions. They are the ones I will definitely get inspiration from!

Teaching is a work from heart!

XI CONCURSO MICRORRELATO NA EOI

O Equipo de Dinamización da Lingua Galega da EOI de Pontevedra, en colaboración coa Concellaría de Normalización Lingüística do Concello de Pontevedra, convoca o XI Certame de Microrrelato en Galego “EOI de Pontevedra”.
 
DATA: XOVES 26 de marzo ás 19:30h (duración: 2 horas)  

LUGAR: salón de actos da EOI de Pontevedra e, simultaneamente, nas sección do Valle Inclán, A Estrada e Lalín.  

RELATOS: as persoas participantes deberán crear un texto literario de 150 palabras como máximo “in situ”, durante 2 h, a partir da “inspiración” que lles suxiran 3 palabras escollidas polos escritores colaboradores no certame.  

PARTICIPANTES: Poderán participar no concurso todas as persoas que o desexen (sexan ou non alumnado da EOI de Pontevedra).  

Non dubides en participar e moita sorte! Pon á proba as túas habilidades literarias! Mais de 450€ en premios!

CONSULTA AQUÍ AS BASES DO CONCURSO

REPRESENTATIVES MEETING

There is no way my groups' representatives could miss out on this great opportunity to foster school relations and make their voices heard!

EXPLORING THE SCHOOL LIBRARY

On October 24 we are celebrating the day of school libraries. It will definitely be a great occasion for our students to go and explore the wide range of both learning and discovery opportunities our school library provides.

The school library team is also running a competition to commemorate the date. Visit the school blog and fill in their quiz to win instant prizes!

PROMOTING VOLUNTEERISM

Don´t just stand there! Volunteer! Discover why some of the richest people in the world are not millionaires, but volunteers.  

As usual at this time of the year, the school library is opening up its volunteer programme. Would you like to join and support our school? We need you!! Take part in this rewarding experience and assist others in your community by volunteering now.

For more information about the programme at the library have a look at the school website.

By becoming a volunteer you are making a valuable contribution to school! The gift of your time is priceless!

LET´S DISCOVER PONTEVEDRA! ITU MULTISPORT VIDEO CONTEST

Here are the videos students at school have made to promote the city of Pontevedra just a few days before the ITU Multisport event starts! Congratulations to all of those who took part in the project. Pontevedra is worth a video, don't you agree? Winners will soon be revealed!

Remember that, as the city will be holding this outstanding event from 27 April to 5 May, you will have to check traffic restrictions on the council website in case you are driving to school on those dates! Find the best way to enjoy the venue without freaking out!

ITU MULTISPORT CHAMPIONSHIPS: POSTER DESIGN

The final countdown is coming to an end and Pontevedra is about to experience an amazing adventure. The ITU Multisport World Championships are next 27 April and the city will be packed with athletes, journalists and tourists.

At school we have already prepared for the event. What about you? Are you ready?

SCHOOL SURVEY: HELP US IMPROVE!

As usual at this time of the year, it is time to complete the school survey here and give us your feedback on how to do better! Click on the link and get straight into it. Do not forget to be honest and take it seriously because your opinion counts!