This summer we have done role plays for train, metro and bus travel in Spain, revised numbers and verbs, holidays and form filling (including reporting a pickpocket experience), expressing opinions and describing people.
The elections in July were interesting in that they showed a big shift to right wing parties which almost overtook the socialist government.
We looked at the cathedral in Seville. We followed the story of St. George and the dragon which influenced Gaudí’s design for the Casa Batllo in Barcelona. The balconies are the sculls and uprights are the bones of the victims of the dragon! It is said that Señora Batllo asked Gaudí ‘My daughter has started to learn the piano. How will we get a grand piano through the door?’ and Gaudí replied ‘You must get your daughter to learn the violin’.
In Barcelona the feast of Sant Jordi is celebrated on 23rd April and the street vendors sell red roses which men buy to give to women and books which women buy to give to men.
Language is fascinating in that there is a connection to Sant Jordi and Tynesiders who are called ‘Geordies’ because of the support given by Newcastle to King George and his General George Wade against the Jacobite rising in 1745.
While revising family vocabulary we played ‘Happy families’ in Spanish and much like when we play with our grandchildren it led to arguments!
We shouldn’t mention the Women’s world Cup really but !Viva España! Mind you it ended with that kiss!