From IES "Don Juan Manuel"
Agia Varvara, Cyprus
Tuesday, 7th November
Today was our second day in the school. We have observed five classes: a Maths one, where 3rd year students were revising factoring. It was a bit difficult for me because the class was taught in Greek and Maths was not my favourite subject when I was a student :( , but Luis found it interesting. The next lesson is P.E, where students work endurance and play different games. Later we observe an English lesson. Here the teacher deals with modal verbs and collocations. Then a French one, where the teacher asks us to have a short conversation with her and the students in French, and we try to do it! It's not so bad in the end. :) Finally Christo lets us observe his computer class with 2nd level students. They talk about algorithms, something that I don't fully understand. Definitely, Maths and computer is not my speciality!
Now we are attending a seminar by our coordinator where he is explaining how some internet platforms like Kahoot! work. It's very interesting!
Wednesday, 8th November
The first class we attend today is "Home Economy", where 1st year students talk about their feelings - the class is mainly focused on anger. They watch two videos in English and comment different situations where they have to face this feeling. The teacher explains some procedures to deal with it and they practice some breathing exercises. It's nice to see how they participate and how motivated they are with the subject. While the teacher is talking to the students, she is translating from Greek into English what she is telling them, so it is really easy to follow the class and understand the instructions. One girl even answers her questions in English! It's amazing how they can understand and even speak English although it is not their mother tongue :)
Later we observe a 2nd year Music lesson. The teacher is really funny and so is the class. He plays the piano at the same time the students play the recorder or sing. The song is really beautiful! Although it is sung in Greek, Luis and I manage to memorize a part of it :) Finally we go to a French lesson again with 2nd students who are practicing vocabulary related to clothing.
Friday, 10th November
Today we have observed two classes: Religion and ICT again. They were both quite interesting! In the religion lesson the students have worked on the orthodox church and its contribution to Christianity through some maps and outlines on the issue. The second class was about Pascal, so Luis has explained me some concepts about it. Unfortunately, all this sounds like Chinese to me! Then our coordinator Christo and Marina, a French teacher, have explained us a little bit about the requirements and the process to become a teacher in the country. Finally we have gone to the beach and had an amazing bath! It's unbelievable in November but... this is Cyprus! :)
Thursday, 16th November
Today we have attended a very interesting history class about the Greek Civil War. The teacher has done hard work as he translated the most important theoretical aspects into Spanish for our better understanding. He also explained some points in English. At the end of the class we congratulated the teacher! Then we have observed other ICT class with some practical exercises being done. Finally, a ceremony condemning the Turkish occupation of the North of Cyprus has been celebrated. The students have represented a play and sung some songs criticising the situation and expressing their wishes for a better time for the country. Finally the principal gave also a speech which has finished with the claps of the whole school. Interesting day!
- Posted by Elena Ruiz, 16.11.2017
| DeleteHere you have some more graphic information and a summary of our experience in Cyprus, hope you like it! :)
