University News Last updated 20 January 2011
A group of Spanish students is set to experience life at Birmingham City University as part of an exchange scheme later this month.
The five students, who are all trainee teachers at the University of Cordoba, will be joining the School of Education and Social Work for four weeks as part of their studies. The majority of their stay will be spent on placement at two of Birmingham City University’s partnership schools in Wolverhampton where they will get to experience teaching life in an English primary school.
Birmingham City University students will also get the chance to visit the University of Cordoba later this year to take part in a similar experience, teaching in Spanish primary schools.
The project, which launched last year, supports part of a wider, national initiative that aims to allow children aged seven and over to learn a foreign language at primary school.
The initiative will mean that local children will benefit from having native Spanish speakers with them and help them develop their intercultural awareness and understanding. Students from Birmingham City University will also benefit significantly, by developing their Spanish language skills through teaching in Cordoba.
Emma Bloor, Senior Lecturer in Primary Languages at Birmingham City University said: “It is really exciting for the University to be involved in this exchange which provides excellent opportunities to enhance the teaching of Spanish in our local primary schools.
“We are delighted and privileged to be developing this work with our schools and partners in Cordoba.”
Last year, three Birmingham City University students were given the opportunity to participate in this project, including Philip Jago, a student on the BA Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status degree. As a result of the exchange programme, Philip has been invited back to his placement school in Cordoba to complete a trial period, with a view to a permanent position upon graduation this September.