We're currently looking forward to the Sant Joan celebrations later, which will be our last night in Catalonia. It's been an incredible year for us both and a big thank you to the teachers, students and everyone involved at Sant Feliu.
We hope that you have enjoyed talking in English with us and that after the summer the next English conversation assistants have just as good an experience as we have had.
Adeiu y Gracies
Brendon and James
Saturday, 23 June 2012
Wednesday, 20 June 2012
New YouTube Sensation!
Last week I attended the leavers meal for 4th ESO, who have now finished their final exams at Sant Feliu. During their last week at school they made this lipdub video to celebrate their achievements and create a memory of their time together:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF73v0eQpjM
What a fantastic video! It serves as a fitting reminder of the togetherness of the year group, who have been a pleasure to teach this year. The level of English is very high, which is lucky as they are all currently in London on an end-of-year trip!
Brendon and I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone the best of luck as they move on to the next exciting stage of their lives. Thanks for helping us to fit in at the school this year; inviting us to play football during lunchtimes and making us laugh so much during our English conversations in the office. I'm sure you'll brighten up your next college or workplace!
Thank you and good luck!
James and Brendon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF73v0eQpjM
What a fantastic video! It serves as a fitting reminder of the togetherness of the year group, who have been a pleasure to teach this year. The level of English is very high, which is lucky as they are all currently in London on an end-of-year trip!
Brendon and I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone the best of luck as they move on to the next exciting stage of their lives. Thanks for helping us to fit in at the school this year; inviting us to play football during lunchtimes and making us laugh so much during our English conversations in the office. I'm sure you'll brighten up your next college or workplace!
Thank you and good luck!
James and Brendon
Thursday, 14 June 2012
Somebody's been sitting in my chair!
As part of our work here this year we have directed and performed an English play each term to an audience made up of the Primary classes. Our most recent production, Goldie Locks and the Three Bears, was our most successful. With the help of star actresses Berta, as Goldie Locks, and Clara, as the narrator, we managed to bring this classic story to life. Due to our bearish appearance, our roles were obvious - James as Daddy Bear and Brendon as Baby Bear - along with Mummy Bear Jemma.
Joe couldn't resist taking part, involving himself as a kind of opening act in which he interrogated the students with questions about the play! He also chose the soundtrack to our play: the English ska band Madness!
At the end Berta and Clara found themselves with a group of young fans (pictured above) who had clearly loved their great performances!
A big thanks to Gregó for the fantastic costumes:
 |
| Clara and Jemma practice their lines. |
 |
| Baby bear in action... |
Joe couldn't resist taking part, involving himself as a kind of opening act in which he interrogated the students with questions about the play! He also chose the soundtrack to our play: the English ska band Madness!
 |
| (From left) Presenter Joe, Bears Brendon, Jemma and James, Goldie Locks Berta and Narrator Clara. |
At the end Berta and Clara found themselves with a group of young fans (pictured above) who had clearly loved their great performances!
A big thanks to Gregó for the fantastic costumes:
 |
| Costume designer Gregó |
Even though it was difficult, we managed to grin and bear it. I apologise for that joke...it was unbearable.
Baby Bear Brendon
Wednesday, 6 June 2012
Word of the Week
Due to the European Football Championship starting on Friday, we've decided to include a footballing word.
Wonder goal - Golazo
Definition: An incredible goal.
E.g. Check this wonder goal from England's Paul Gascoigne in Euro 96:
Wonder goal - Golazo
Definition: An incredible goal.
E.g. Check this wonder goal from England's Paul Gascoigne in Euro 96:
Phrase of the Week
It's back!
To chew the fat - Hablar con un amigo
Definition: To talk for a while with a friend.
e.g. "We haven't talked for ages, we need to chew the fat!"
Monday, 4 June 2012
Football's coming home?
As lifelong England fans, Brendon and I know all too well the disappointment and pain that comes with following our national team, particularly at a major championship. England haven't won anything since the glory days of 1966, a success epitomised by the iconic image of Bobby Moore lifting the Jules Rimet trophy while being held aloft on the shoulders of his team-mates.
The trophy cabinet has remained empty since that triumph, as England have failed at each major tournament to emulate the '66 winners. We have come so close... but yet so far! The team has developed a particularly annoying habit of losing on penalties to Germany in the final stages.
The first tournament I ever followed was Euro 96. Before that I had no interest in football. I remember my Mum pestering me to leave my Thomas the Tank Engine railway set and come to watch the football with the family. I reluctantly gave in eventually, watching a dull 1-1 draw with Switzerland, but those 90 minutes changed my life forever (for better or for worse, you decide!) I was hooked! I immediately begged my Mum to buy me an England shirt and chose my favourite player, goalscorer Alan Shearer. The championships were held in England, and there was an amazing atmosphere around the country at the time as everyone came together to support the team. I remember every word to the team song from that year, which was sung everywhere you went and can still be heard in stadiums today. The youtube link below contains the song, recorded by comedy duo Baddiel and Skinner, which soundtracked this special time for English football.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLjMcK77BFU
Even with a team full of talented players like Shearer, Sheringham and Gascoigne, and the whole country behind them, England still couldn't do it. Yet again, a crushing penalty shoot-out loss to Germany sent the team out of the tournament and me to bed in tears. Surely, after all these setbacks and heartbreaking moments we would have learned not to be so ambitious. Unfortunately not! Brendon and I, like almost all England fans before a major tournament, have experienced a sudden and inexplicable rise in confidence. We are so excited about the upcoming international games that we have talked about formations and squad lists for the last 2 months, and both genuinely believe that England have a chance to win. This is despite us approaching the championships in the worst possible circumstances: a new manager; 11 first-team regulars injured; our star striker Wayne Rooney banned for the first 2 matches; 6 average players from the worst Liverpool team in living memory forming a key part of the squad...
Yesterday Champions League winner Gary Cahill was the latest to be ruled out of the tournament after he broke his jaw in a collision with Joe Hart. Cahill was pushed by Dries Mertens straight into the onrushing goalkeeper - an appalling challenge considering it was a warm-up friendly for the Euros.
England kick off their championships with a game against a strong and rejuvenated France side next Monday, and we will be in a pub in Barcelona cheering on our team. With a history of disappointments and the present team in such disarray, why do we continue to sing (and believe) that "football's coming home"? Because we're England fans!
At school we have had mixed responses about the Euros. Some of you support Spain, and think that La Roja will triumph once more with their passing football. However, many of you have said that you don't feel Spanish, and that you don't follow the fortunes of the national team. After a year in Catalonia I understand these nationalist sentiments, and hope to recruit you all for the England team. Be warned however... it won't be like supporting Barcelona!
James (in a patriotic mood)
The trophy cabinet has remained empty since that triumph, as England have failed at each major tournament to emulate the '66 winners. We have come so close... but yet so far! The team has developed a particularly annoying habit of losing on penalties to Germany in the final stages.
The first tournament I ever followed was Euro 96. Before that I had no interest in football. I remember my Mum pestering me to leave my Thomas the Tank Engine railway set and come to watch the football with the family. I reluctantly gave in eventually, watching a dull 1-1 draw with Switzerland, but those 90 minutes changed my life forever (for better or for worse, you decide!) I was hooked! I immediately begged my Mum to buy me an England shirt and chose my favourite player, goalscorer Alan Shearer. The championships were held in England, and there was an amazing atmosphere around the country at the time as everyone came together to support the team. I remember every word to the team song from that year, which was sung everywhere you went and can still be heard in stadiums today. The youtube link below contains the song, recorded by comedy duo Baddiel and Skinner, which soundtracked this special time for English football.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLjMcK77BFU
Even with a team full of talented players like Shearer, Sheringham and Gascoigne, and the whole country behind them, England still couldn't do it. Yet again, a crushing penalty shoot-out loss to Germany sent the team out of the tournament and me to bed in tears. Surely, after all these setbacks and heartbreaking moments we would have learned not to be so ambitious. Unfortunately not! Brendon and I, like almost all England fans before a major tournament, have experienced a sudden and inexplicable rise in confidence. We are so excited about the upcoming international games that we have talked about formations and squad lists for the last 2 months, and both genuinely believe that England have a chance to win. This is despite us approaching the championships in the worst possible circumstances: a new manager; 11 first-team regulars injured; our star striker Wayne Rooney banned for the first 2 matches; 6 average players from the worst Liverpool team in living memory forming a key part of the squad...
Yesterday Champions League winner Gary Cahill was the latest to be ruled out of the tournament after he broke his jaw in a collision with Joe Hart. Cahill was pushed by Dries Mertens straight into the onrushing goalkeeper - an appalling challenge considering it was a warm-up friendly for the Euros.
England kick off their championships with a game against a strong and rejuvenated France side next Monday, and we will be in a pub in Barcelona cheering on our team. With a history of disappointments and the present team in such disarray, why do we continue to sing (and believe) that "football's coming home"? Because we're England fans!
At school we have had mixed responses about the Euros. Some of you support Spain, and think that La Roja will triumph once more with their passing football. However, many of you have said that you don't feel Spanish, and that you don't follow the fortunes of the national team. After a year in Catalonia I understand these nationalist sentiments, and hope to recruit you all for the England team. Be warned however... it won't be like supporting Barcelona!
James (in a patriotic mood)
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