Beginnings - Training Week

As it's my second full day of training I thought it appropriate to catch up on blogging and sharing my experiences.

Today started with a quick brekkie - using the time to recover from the SU karaoke 'sesh' going on inches from my room's window last night. Some 'impressive' singing.

The teaching for the day started with Sports Leaders - as a particularly unfit member of society I had some trepidation coming into this session. This fear was allayed when I didn't actually have to run around a field. Creating our own games out of limited equipment provided was great fun. 

Long treks to the other areas of campus - at times felt like hiking to Mordor (I really need to go to the gym...) - BUT this did give me the chance to perambulate through Chester itself which has surprised me in how charming it is.

Another pleasant surprise has been the food provided on campus. There are few things better in this world than free food, that's for sure. I have found myself unintentionally carbo-loading on pasta and chips and may eat a little healthier in the days to come. That being said, this probably helps with the expedition from one area of the Uni to another.

Looking forward to the next fews days!

Future updates will include photos and more unnecessarily formal (pretentious) language - promise!

Let’s talk...

Okay. So we’ve been given fabulous accommodation on a beautiful campus in a stunning city where we’re being trained by experienced teachers and mentors to prepare us for the month in sunny Spain surrounded by culture. All whilst not paying a penny. BUT the highlight of this experience became very clear to me yesterday. Vegan chocolate cake. Yes, I know. Moist, rich, creamy and pure indulgent. I was ready to get down on one knee and marry the fluffy sponge or the baker who changed my plant-based life.

It definitely took the cake!

Keep tuned for further food updates
G xx

Chester where our training and preparation begins.

I initially arrived in Chester a day before joining the UKLC team and fellow EFL teachers at Chester University. Chester is a really lovely city full of historical features. The town is lovely with some very old tudor-style timber buildings and 2-level arcades, antique shops, trendy bars, variety of eating establishments and a beautiful red sandstone cathedral. If I had more time in Chester I would spend more time exploring the cities historical sites. In particular the Roman amphitheatre and St. John's Church which used to be the cathedral in Chester from the Saxon period until the Reformation in 1541 during the reign of King Henry VIII.

It was nice to get a feel for the city. I later made my way to Chester university where I met the other EFL teachers on the Erasmus+ programme. I was very excited to finally meet my group and Carolyn and Katy from UKLC. We now know that we are going to Leon in Spain and I am really looking forward to the experience. UKLC have been an incredibly generous host and made this 4-week voluntary training possible. I am looking forward to another busy day tomorrow and finding out more about where I will be teaching.

Something to blog about... Day 1 - The Journey has begun!

Chester.  One of those cities that you hear people talking about all the time but haven't yet had the privilege of exploring.

Today the entire group of EFL teachers made their way slowly through the city in what I would consider to be the early hours of the morning (AKA 8.30am).  On arrival at Churchill House, a converted bank, we were all eager to begin our training schedule.  The training schedule looks tiring and to a degree it is.  However, the UKLC team and our excitement made today fly by.  I barely even checked my phone!

We learnt yesterday that we would be going to the Spanish city of León.  Last night I did a quick google search and supposedly there's quite a nice cathedral.  I'm looking forward to exploring this and all the other sights when we fly over later in the week.

On a side note, the food that I've had in Chester so far has been above expectations and the accommodation that we've been provided is lovely.  I might even find a bit of time to explore Chester.  I've heard that it's got a very unique shopping experience and a rather famous clock.