Our Form 3 Spanish students headed off on Saturday, September 21st, 2024 to Salamanca in Spain for the annual Language and Cultural Trip.  Students will attend the prestigious Mester Spanish Language School and board on-site. From Monday to Friday, students will attend classes in the mornings. The morning classes are broken down into two language classes, comprising Spanish grammar and vocabulary before the break, followed on by two Spanish oral, conversation classes after the break.

On arrival to Spain, the students had a full day excursion to both Avila – famous for its ancient ‘murallas’ (town walls) and birthplace of Santa Teresa, and the nearby town of Segovia – famous for its ancient aqueduct.

During the week as part of the students’ exposure to Spanish culture, the Mester teachers will take the students on walking tours, speaking through the Spanish language and will explain the history of La Casa de las Conchas (House of Shells), the 18th century Plaza Mayor, the two Catedrales, the Calixto and Melibea legend (bearing a resemblance with the Romeo and Juliet legend) and the Art Deco Casa Lis Museum. Cultural activities in the afternoons will also incorporate visits to the ancient Universidad Pontifica de Salamanca, the climb to the bell tower at the top of the Catedral, El Monasterio de San Esteban, a Spanish Civil War museum, El Colegio de los Irlandeses and also a visit to a bullfighting museum. There will also be a Spanish ‘tortilla’ cookery demonstration, a salsa class, a Spanish tapa trail, chocolate y churros,  and on the last evening a special farewell dinner in a restaurant, for which students should dress up for the special event.

The group return back to Ireland on Sunday, September 29th.   We look forward to hearing more about the trip upon their return.