Spanish class participants benefit from immersion experience in Andalucia

A group of Spanish students (all levels) from the adult education courses at Ashton School, Bishopstown Community School and Carrigaline Community School lived an exciting 2nd immersion experience in a town called Cabra in the middle of Andalucia last September. During 5 days they enjoyed participating in a total of 11 different activities having the opportunity to learn about Cabra, its people, history, environment and gastronomy among other topics. They also interacted with locals in everyday situations, apart from more that 15 Spanish experts and collaborators who participated in the organized activities.
 
Mariana Jiménez Moreno is their teacher who organized and invited her students to take part in this fantastic experience. She believes that this type of immersion could build the confidence´s learner, motivation and an unique life´s experience as everybody has to choose their own learning path within the group support.
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´Every student has been very special, they all contributed in a very positive way to make the most of their experience´ says Mariana.

​Here you can read some of their thoughts about what they lived in Cabra:
 
´As an individual tourist it would be impossible to have such a rich and extensive experience as this one, organised by a local who connected us with other local experts´. (Deirdre Seery)
 
´if one is interested in learning Spanish, then immersion is the obvious way to do that. But this course was much more fun, more motivating, and more interesting than I would ever have expected. Even after the first day, I described  it as ‘laughter therapy’ - totally beats being a tourist!´ (Evelyn Grant)
 
´To use the spanish one has learned in every day interactions is invaluable´. (Anne O´Driscoll)

´On a personal level, I found the visit to Cabra extremely helpful.  My oral Spanish may not have increased a lot but the whole experience of being in a Spanish speaking town with other learners (albeit different levels of fluency/comfort), gave me a sense that what I am working towards is achievable. Aside from the learning I loved Cabra, it's people and the sense of unity within our group as we all strove to improve´ (Linda Murphy)

´It is by far the best way to learn Spanish´ (Tom O´Brien)

´An excellent opportunity to speak and listen to Spanish people, and to each other. Great success is possible even after one week. Also a great opportunity to visit places and listen to experts talking about their work, that would be very difficult on one’s own´ (Alice Dooley)

´The whole experience was very positive and engaging and I would certainly recommend this type of experience to anyone who is trying to learn Spanish´ (Michael Murphy)
 
Thank you to every student for their participation, enthusiasm and engagement in their own individual and group whole experience!