Teacher, what team are you from? How soccer explains Spain.
Anybody new to Spain from the United States may find themselves either immediately enamored with soccer culture here, or utterly confused. At first glance, in general, sports’ culture varies little from one culture to the next. Fans choose (or in many cases are born into) a favorite team, join together in social groups to view […]
25 FREE Things to do in Madrid
So you’ve successfully obtained your public transportation card, mastered the public transportation system, and now you’re ready to explore. You don’t have to break the bank to see all of the incredible sights and experiences that Madrid has to offer. Here are 25 completely FREE things to do in Madrid. 1. Relax at Parque del […]
It’s Christmastime in the city
Are you staying in Madrid over the Christmas break? With the lights, markets, and festivities, the city is definitely the place to be over the holiday! During the holiday season, Madrid comes alive with Christmas spirit, so be sure to take part in the festivities that the city has to offer! As you stroll through […]
Baile de Sangre. (Adaptación de Bodas de Sangre por estudiantes de Study Abroad in Spain)
It was our Introduction to Literary Analysis class in the spring of 2017, and we had to take Federico García Lorca’s famous Bodas de sangre and adapt it to make our own play. We had full power over the concept, script, costumes, props, directing, filming, editing – every aspect of creating our own piece of […]
From Alcalá to New Zealand. Richard McCance (Alumni Franklin Master Teach & Learn 2012-2013)
On being asked to share my experience and reflect on my time as a student in the Teach and Learn program, I have tried to consider what I might offer that is of value to those reading this blog. Like many of the other students in the program, I think I was much less concerned […]
Getting the most out of your degree Post- Teach & Learn in Spain Program – The Franklin Students’ Blog
Exactly three weeks ago was the last day of school my principal called me up to receive a breathtaking bouquet of flowers from one of my favorite students, Nicolás, a charming first grader who is Bolivian-American and bilingual. Blessed Sacrament is the name of the Catholic school where I have been the sole Spanish teacher […]
My life as a “Returning Student”
This story begins long ago circa Summer 2014. I was getting my BA in Spanish Language and Literature, Secondary Teacher Preparation at Stony Brook University on Long Island. As I was going through my undergraduate career, I couldn’t help but think… ‘How the heck am I going to be a Spanish teacher if I’ve never […]
Sara Kells. Alice Gould Award 2016
When I was asked to write a blog post about my experience writing the master’s thesis with the aim of encouraging current students, I thought, wouldn’t shots of espresso be a more appropriate encouragement than a blog post? I’m sure they are all exhausted! I was instantly transported back to those coffee shop dwelling months, […]
Master’s in Bilingual and Multicultural Education: Whitney Morris
I completed the Master in Bilingual and Multicultural Education through the Instituto Franklin at the University of Alcala in 2010. At the time of starting the program, I was not sure what I wanted to do as a career; I just knew I wanted to spend time overseas. Through completing the program, I learned about […]
Building Community in the Classroom with Adela Chumillas
Building community in the classroom is rewarding for both you and your students. It is, however, difficult to do. Every class, no matter the subject, is different because it’s made up of different young individuals interacting together at different times of the day, week, and year. Your classes as a native teacher go beyond the […]