VSO - Volunteering Services Overseas and Flipped Class

Thursday 12^th February

Hi everybody! How are you?

I hope Alex is better because he was starting to feel ill last Thursday. Yeah! It seems there’s a virus around…and I don’t mean in our computers!

I’m sure Jorge will be having fun with his Italian friends. Did you enjoy Carnival? Sure it’s not the same as in Venice, but we also have important Carnival celebrations in Spain. (Cádiz & the Canary Islands, for instance)

As for Andrea & Pilar, I don’t know what to make of their absence. They may have been studying for exams or they could be ill. I hope it isn’t the last thing. Anyway, I hope to see all of you – except Jorge, who is going away – next class.

 You can read more about Carnival here

We started the class correcting the homework that we hadn’t checked yet. I’m glad (happy) to say that you DID homework.

We read about a charity called VSO. VSO stands for Volunteering Services Overseas.

 It struck (surprised) me that you said you might not (it’s possible that you didn’t) find anything difficult if you became a volunteer. That made me thinks that I’m a bit too materialistic! I’d find difficult not having running tap water, electricity a place to buy food, phone or internet connection so as to communicate with my family and friends … a lot of things. On the other hand, you said you would find the language difficult and maybe, access to healthcare and medical treatment!

I agree with you with the things you thought are the best about volunteering; sharing skills, that is, teaching and learning; getting out from our routines and getting to know different cultures and lifestyles; feeling well with ourselves because of our contribution and help.

Then, I told you about ‘The Gap Year’ that young British have before starting university. In many cases, these youngsters spend their ‘Gap Year’ volunteering.

 After that, we checked the materials you brought for ‘Flipped Class’. David was the one who took it more seriously. He prepared a couple of songs and took the time to take some words out for the students to fill in the gaps. The words he took out were rather easy for the kids and age appropriate. That’s why he deserves 10 points!

 And we finished the first half of our class starting with our personal project. We went through the first stage: Feel. We’ll have to discuss the issues that were brought up (mentioned) in depth (deeply) because I can’t see how we can change something like ‘the end of life’ or ‘the teachers at your high school’! You must come up with realistic, possible ideas!

Then, we had ‘Flipped Class’…and that was it!

                 GAME 5

Player 1	---
Player 2	6
Player 3	---
Player 4	10
Player 5	6
Player 6	---
Player 7	5

Guess what…?

No homework this week!

C.U. on Thursday!