It's hard to believe but it's already been two months since I started volunteering at a the Pare Poveda School! In honor of this milestone here are 5 useful tips for foreigners trying to navigate their way through a Spanish elementary school:
Tip #1: If the directory says your classroom is on the 4th floor of the building, in reality it's more likely on the 6th floor. In Spain the ground floor is called "la planta baja" and the first floor above street level is called "el primer piso". Therefore the "1st floor" is actually on the third level of the building. Knowing this will save you from some confusion and will prepare your lungs for a bit of an extra workout in case you choose to take the stairs!
Tip #2: Students solely address their teachers by first name and never refer to them by last name. The informality within the classroom was tough to get used to at first but it actually ended up working out in my favor. Turns out it's much easier to say Christina than it is to say Senorita Tometchko.
Tip #3: Much like the rest of Spain, elementary schools have a two-hour lunch break in the middle of the day. Some students eat in the cafeteria and goof around on the playground, but many of the kids that live nearby go home to enjoy a nice sit down meal with their families. Teachers love having this extra time during the day and often use it to finalize lesson plans, read a good book, or catch up with an old friend.
Tip #4: Pop quizzes are common--even in elementary school classrooms. If students are continuously misbehaving and not following directions, teachers won't hesitate to give an impromptu pop quiz. Students cringe when they hear these words but it helps keep them alert and ready for anything.
Tip #5: Get ready to answer a million questions! Once your students meet you and learn that you're visiting from another country, their hands will immediately shoot up in the air. They'll want to know all about your friends and family, where you live, where you go to school, and where else you've traveled. Sharing parts of your culture while learning about theirs is one of the best parts of volunteering abroad!