A Spanish Experience

Twenty one KNGS girls from Years 10, 11 and 13 boarded a flight from Heathrow on 26 March to start their Spanish experience in Madrid. The aim of  the trip was to enable students to hear, read and speak Spanish in a native Spanish environment and also to improve their cultural awareness about the   history of Madrid.

On arrival at the hostal, which was located within easy walking distance of the main attractions, the girls excitedly settled into their dormitories before sampling a Spanish buffet at a local restaurant.

We were greeted with blue skies and sunshine on the Tuesday, which stayed with us for the remainder of the trip. A walking tour around the historic parts of Madrid with a Spanish speaking guide enabled the girls to practise their listening skills and interpret to one another what he was saying. The history of the Palacio Real and the Spanish inquisition was particularly informative and a quiz was held later in the week to see how much the students had remembered. Prior to a visit into the Palacio Real itself in the afternoon, we had lunch in the Plaza Mayor where several girls sampled the local bocadillos.

The following day we walked round several of the beautiful parks in Madrid, going back to visit the extensive palace gardens before lunching by the river. A visit to El museo Reina Sofia enabled the girls to appreciate the works of Picasso, including the Guernica, amongst other artists, prior to a quick look at the tropical rainforest within the Atocha station.

The students excelled themselves on the final day, when we set them a challenge of shopping in two teams for their own lunches and making them back at the hostal. A picnic in the palace grounds in the ongoing sunshine was enjoyed by all before the girls had free time for shopping.

Our last evening in a Venezuelan restaurant was a happy experience for everybody before returning to the UK. The students were a real credit to KNGS and the trip was thoroughly enjoyed by staff and students alike.