Nicole Zelzer, University of Huelva, Mobility for study, PHSt

school practice

C.E.I.P. El Puntal

Goya s.n.

21110 Bellavista (Aljaraque-Huelva)

The ‘Colegio Público el Puntal’ offers a kindergarten for children from the age of 3 up to the sixth year of primary education. Since 2014 they may be described as a bilingual school.

Unfortunately there was not a possibility to do a official school practice this year. The University don´t offers this course any longer. Fortunately, we found a professor who helped us to find a school.

It is an open, friendly environment for children. But of course I see many differences to the schools in Austria. Unfortunately I can´t say anything about the training of teachers, because we got no chance to join any courses, but what is really different in practice in Austria is the diversity of methods. I spent 13 days in Bellavista and all I could see was classical frontal teaching. Even on Monday mornings they started strictly with their lessons, without a little bit of social interacting. I think a class in primary school should be a social place where the pupils don´t just learn how to write, how to do math’s, rather they should be perceived as members of a society. Speaking in a group about problems, fears, dramatic events and everything they care about is one of the most important thing for a teacher in Austria and all the teaching should be built thereabouts. What I really liked at that school was how they deal with kids with special needs. They are really integrated and it is so beautiful to see how all the other children care about them and help them if they need anything. I also liked the kindergarten. I think they are really forward looking. Everything was about playing, being together as a group, singing songs and learning new things, I really liked that. I think it was a good experience and showed me the good but self-evident things in my own country and school system. I´m really happy that the teachers from the school in Bellavista were so open minded to integrate us totally in the school. They were all very nice and dedicated people and I don´t want to miss the time there.