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Thursday, October 7, 2010

My Average Work Day In Spain

I wake up around 7:00 - 7:30 am and get ready at my place. Luckily the Train station is only a few blocks away so it only takes a couple of minutes to get there.

I take the Train from the Santa Justa Station to Dos Hermanas, which departs about every 20 minutes or so. I usually take the 8:40 train. The ride only lasts about 15 minutes so its nice and short. It costs 2.15 Euro for a round trip every day. Once I get my ID card for Spain I will be able to purchase a pass that will make it a little cheaper each time I go.

This is what the inside of the train station is like. There are about 4 or 5 of these arches with tracks below that head all over spain. It is really convienent because the high speed rails make traveling to other parts of spain very quick. You can make it to Barcelona in less than 6 hours.

I get off at the Dos Hermanas Train Station and walk a few blocks to my school. When I get there all the kids are just arriving. Their parents are on the outside gate waving goodbye while they all get in line to head to their classrooms

Parents waiting outside waving goodbye to their kids.

The Teachers get their students in line to head into the classrooms.

After we bring in all the kids I meet up with Jose Ignacio, the English teacher at the the school, and he tells me which classes I will be working with for the day. I spend around 30 minutes with each group of kids. I head into their classroom and take them to another room which they use to teach english in. I usually work with 4 or 5 classes a day. The time goes by so quickly.

We start of be singing a good morning song. The younger kids just stare at me and jump up and down to the music. Some cry, some participate. It usually depends on the age. The 4 and 5 year olds are really interested in learning and actually know a few English phrases, the 3 year olds usually stare and run around, not paying too much attention. haha

Taking the kids from their classroom to the "English Center"

Singing a song with a class of 3 year olds. They all love to dance.

It can be quite difficult to get 20 or so kids to all pay attention, I'm glad there is a teacher there with me

Trying to teach them simple phrases through song; Good Morning, Hello! Hello My Friend!" It's something I have never had to do before which makes it fun and a little nerve racking being in charge of 25 energetic kids.

After I work with a few classes it's time for their recess. They all head out onto the back side of the school and run around and play with each other for about a half hour. During this time I can either sit in the teachers break room or go out and play with the kids.

Some kids just sit other run around until the drop.

Every day about 10 - 15 kids usually surround me and ask me what I am doing and what my name is. This is the only time I really speak Spanish with the students.

After their recess I work with a few more classes and then my day is over. I walk back to the train station and catch the next train to Sevilla.

The Dos Hermanas Train station

Getting ready to board the next train to Sevilla

The inside of the trains are nice and roomy. It gets quite busy on the way home because there are usually a lot of older kids getting out of school as well.

I get back to my apartment and then the day is mine! Now that I am finally getting settled in I have more time to actually explore the city!


  1. Love all the pictures especially the ones of the kids at the school. Hope you are getting all settled in. Love you Mom

  2. You look like you're having a great time and the kids seem to be participating too. Keep the posts coming!