Literacy teachers visit an adult basic education school in Madrid

Blog post by Miia Komppa and Mari Ek, Literacy Phase teachers at Helsingin aikuisopiston peruskoulu

In May, we travelled to spring-time Madrid for a week. On our job shadowing trip, we visited CEPA Rosalía de Castro, an adult education centre in Madrid.

Getting to know the school

CEPA Rosalía de Castro is one of 17 schools for adult basic education in the Madrid area. The school offers basic education from literacy teaching up to the basic education certificate. It also teaches Spanish to foreigners. CEPA Rosalía de Castro is a public school run by the city of Madrid. About 800 students are registered at the school, but attending lessons is voluntary and there is no time limit for studies, so most of the groups we saw were very small. On average, there were five students in a group. The students we met were of very different ages. Many had just turned 18, but there were also students over 80 who had lived colourful lives. We admired how well the teachers managed very mixed groups. The atmosphere in the lessons was relaxed and respectful, and it took into account the students’ life experience and life situations. The teaching we observed used many participatory methods, and the Spanish-speaking students in particular took part in the lessons eagerly and loudly.

Observing lessons

We were the first foreign visitors to observe teaching at CEPA Rosalía de Castro. The wonderful staff had put a lot of effort into our visit and organised a very full programme for us. During the week, we observed lessons in Spanish, English, history, geography, biology, environmental studies and mathematics. We were especially interested in observing literacy teaching, which the school offers only eight hours a week. This is why students usually study in the literacy phase for many years. The atmosphere was warm and, in our opinion, very much like a club. The students came and went according to their own schedules, and the teacher went round reading with each student in turn. In addition to reading and writing exercises, the students learnt mathematics, ways to manage stress, everyday skills and practical habits that support health and wellbeing. Once a week, representatives of NGOs visited the school to talk about different topics related to wellbeing, nature and society.

Trips and sharing ideas

In addition to getting to know the school, we got to enjoy the Spanish way of life. Our colleagues showed us many cultural and historic sights, places in nature and delicious food. A special experience was a day in Toledo, the old capital of Spain. A history teacher who had grown up in the city told us in detail about its amazing and colourful history in a way we will not forget. On trips, at lunches and over tapas, the conversations were lively, and during the week we shared many ideas about education, culture, society, the state of the world and the future of Europe. We learnt a lot about the Spanish education system and teaching. But the best part was taking part in the daily life of the school and, above all, talking with Spanish colleagues who do the same work as we do. It was interesting to see that everyday life in adult basic education is very similar in different parts of Europe.