Language Learning Brought to Life: Our Extended Santiago de Compostela Exchange

Our extended Spanish exchange with our partner school in Santiago de Compostela is one of the most exciting opportunities we offer our language students. Spending almost a month immersed in Spanish life gives students the chance to experience the language and culture in a way that goes far beyond the classroom.

Stela, Ron and Rose have been outstanding throughout the exchange. They threw themselves into life in Santiago, embracing Spanish school and family life, developing their language skills and gaining a real insight into the culture and everyday life of Galicia.

This term, they welcomed their Spanish exchange partners to Hockerill, giving them the opportunity to share their own families, school and culture. It was wonderful to see the friendships they had formed in Spain continue when their exchange partners visited Hockerill.

The progress they have made has been wonderful to see – not only in their confidence and spoken Spanish, but also in their independence, cultural awareness and willingness to communicate. Above all, the exchange has allowed them to build genuine friendships and discover what learning a language is really about: connecting with other people.

We are incredibly proud of Stela, Ron and Rose and the way they have represented our school. Their experience is a fantastic example of language learning brought to life.

A student’s perspective

“Taking part in the extended trip to Spain has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made at Hockerill. Though many people might think it’s scary going to a different country for almost a month, I think the experience is so worth it.

“I got to experience a different culture in more depth than I’d be able to with any other international trip. Even though I’ve had experience in Spanish-speaking countries alone, I think that even if I hadn’t, I would still have had an amazing time because everyone was so welcoming and comforting in Spain.

“The most recent part of the exchange programme has been just as good, if not better. It’s been really fun showing someone I’m already quite close with the life I’d been describing while I was there.

“Overall, I think that if anyone has the opportunity to take part, they definitely should.”

Sara Mihajlovic

Head of MFL