Hi! My name is Sam Smith, and I'm an English teacher from the UK working as a Speaking Assistant at FEDAC Lleida. I have a pretty exciting job, helping students of all ages improve their English. I work with different groups at school, from I3 (the first year of pre-primary or kindergarten in Spain) to 4th ESO. My job is all about getting students to practice speaking English in a way that's both fun and useful. Let me walk you through a typical day for me.

Speaking Practice with Students

One of the most essential parts of my job is getting students to speak English. This is crucial because, let's face it, many people can read and write in a language, but saying it is another challenge. So, I spend a lot of time helping students practice their speaking skills. We do this in different ways. Sometimes we use the activities and exercises in their student books to help them improve. These books include speaking tasks that focus on asking and answering questions, describing pictures, and talking about topics such as hobbies, travel, or food.

However, not all speaking practice is from a textbook! To help them sound more natural in English, I encourage students to talk about things that interest them or discuss subjects outside the usual classroom routine. This makes learning feel more relevant to their everyday lives, and it encourages them to express their opinions and ideas in English. It's a way to make the language come alive and be something they can use beyond the classroom.

Making English More Natural

Another part of my job is helping students use English in more real-life situations. English isn't just something you learn in class – it's something you should be able to use every day. So, sometimes, I help out with subjects like PE (Physical Education) or Technology in English. I work closely with the teachers to make sure our lessons are bilingual, especially in PE and Technology classes. This means that, while the lesson's primary focus might be physical activity or learning about technology, we also ensure students practice their English.

For example, when we're in PE class, I give instructions, talk about sports, and explain exercises in English. The PE teacher will often reinforce this in English as well. This bilingual approach helps students practice English in a more relaxed, natural way because they aren't just learning vocabulary from a book; they're using the language to do something active and fun.

Similarly, in Technology classes, I can explain how things like computers, gadgets, or digital tools work, all in English. The other teacher and I work together to ensure students learn the technical vocabulary they need in both English and their native language. It's an excellent way for students to practice speaking and understanding English in subjects they enjoy, all while learning essential vocabulary for the future.

Extra Activities to Boost Confidence

Sometimes, we also do extra activities to help students feel more confident in their speaking skills. This could be anything from role-playing a café or restaurant conversation to giving a short talk about something they're passionate about. These activities help students practice speaking in real-life situations, which is really important if they want to use English outside the classroom, whether they're travelling or talking to people online from other countries.

We also do group projects where students have to collaborate and speak in English. This builds their confidence, not just in speaking, but in working with others to achieve a goal. The more students practice in a relaxed, supportive environment, the easier it becomes to speak up when they're outside the classroom.

Why I Love My Job

One of the best things about my job is seeing students improve over time. When they first start practising their speaking skills, they might feel nervous or unsure. But after a few weeks or months, it's fantastic to see how much more confident they become. And that's the ultimate goal – for students to be able to use English easily and naturally, whether they're in a classroom, talking to friends, or even travelling to other countries.

So, while every day is a little bit different, my job is always exciting because it's all about helping students grow and succeed. Whether it's through a textbook exercise, a bilingual PE class, or a fun activity that gets everyone talking, I get to help students take their English skills to the next level. And that's why I love what I do!