Jobshadowing in Vienna – Bea Ramos Amo
Last 3rd of May I was boarding a plane to a new destination: Vienna (Austria). I was going to spend a whole week observing how teaching works in a secondary school in a foreign country. Crazy, right? This is all framed into the Erasmus+ project, which allows both teachers and students to broaden their minds and live experiences immersed in different cultures.
A jobshadowing consists in observing lessons to gain insight into teaching practices. In my case, I wanted to learn how they teach languages. Before going into detail about what I saw, I want to ask you, the reader, to wonder about these questions: Do you think their lessons in general are more engaging and fun? Do you think their English lessons in particular are out of this world? Do you think they have a better level of English than Spanish students? If you answered “yes” to all of these questions, let me tell you, you may be surprised.
Firstly, their lessons can be deemed “more traditional” than what you expect. They don’t have digital boards, only projectors and hardly ever do they use them. It’s all about textbooks and blackboards. Secondly, their English lessons are also very traditional. They use their textbook, and typical reading and speaking in pairs exercises.
What about the last question? I had the opportunity to talk to three different English teachers, all of whom agreed that their students are willingly exposed to English outside of school. This means that they are more interested in English than Spaniards. If you think this doesn’t make a difference, believe me, it does. Students are used to watching films, TV series, youtube videos… in English. It is not pedante nor friki, as I am sure you are thinking. It is their habit. Since they are more exposed to the language in relaxed environments, they become familiar with grammar and vocabulary without even realising it. This is why your English teacher tells you to do all of these things… Even though you probably think they are absurd.
Lastly, I would like to share some fun facts about this secondary school which might shock you:
- Students over 15 can be left alone after excursions to the city centre.
- Younger students aren’t allowed to use their phones, but older students can. In fact, teachers can’t take their phones away unless they have previously told them not to use them.
- They must enter the library barefoot.
- Their bilingual program is optional, some students choose to have bilingual education while others don’t.
- Students are evaluated on their behaviour in class.
- Students must choose optional subjects to complete their timetable, including Photography, Sports or Oral Communication in English.
In short, if you can, do not hesitate to participate in an Erasmus exchange and please, EXPOSE YOURSELF TO ENGLISH!
