Vaughan Town Alhama de Aragon, Spain

We were fortunate to be accepted as volunteers to teach English again. This is our third time - 2012, 2017 and now 2024.
We stayed three blocks from the meeting point where we caught the bus to the resort in Aragon. 24 Nov. Sunday.
We were each assigned our own rooms and they are lovely.

Lunch was at 2 pm. We were starving but will soon adjust to the Spanish schedule. Buffet style, wine included on every table, two Spanish and two English speakers at each table, this is an intense immersion program for the Spanish. Siesta until five pm followed by one on one conversations of fifty minutes each, then dinner with wine at 9 pm.
There is a huge selection of food and we take full advantage, we are eating too much but the temptation is too much for us - I am eating meat and everything available, cake, paella, fish, pasta, salads, a feast. At this rate I will gain ten pounds!
There are thirty people, the Spanish have varying levels of English proficiency, but we are not to correct them unless they ask. Mostly I would like to correct their pronunciation and enunciation but I hold off. If they ask it's a different story but you can't go overboard - maybe two or three things. They actually know a lot of words, it's not the vocabulary so much as dropping consonants. They are learning English for their employment so are motivated. I am the oldest person here and we are the only volunteers from North America this time. Lots of English and one couple from Scotland. The Spanish come from all over the country Barcelona, Malaga, Madrid.
25 Nov
Breakfast at 9 then I was lucky and had free time for an hour so I walked downtown with another volunteer. It's 16 C and a bit windy.

This village is known for its thermal waters.

Then a few sessions of speaking English, and some instruction for our upcoming telephone sessions. Talking on the phone is more difficult, no visual clues.
Then lunch at 2 - again ate too much but didn't drink any wine this time!!
The Panna Cotta for desert was so delicious!!

I stuck with one and didn't succumb to the vast array of cakes, so proud of myself!!
Really a tough gig!!
Siesta, yay!
For a true introvert like myself this is challenging. I enjoy a good conversation and socializing but I need alone time, quiet time to recover. If you aren't an introvert this is foreign territory but this is how it is for me. I can only socialize a certain amount - it's exhausting. Also dreaming up something to talk about is difficult for me as we aren't suppose to ask the three most typical conversation starters
What do you do
Where are you from
What are your hobbies make that four do you have children. Oh and no politics. Or religion.
Now I could ask do you play any sports, do you enjoy travelling, have you seen any good movies lately. Have you ever broken a bone, white water rafted or gotten lost. This is not my skill set. Obviously.
Oh I guess I could ask where they recommend I go in Spain in case I ever come back here. This is actually my fourth time in Spain. I think it's Jeffs sixth or seventh so we seem to keep ending up here.
If you are interested in volunteering to teach English google English Immersion Programs for volunteers. You need to be fluent in English and typically you would be a native English speaker meaning English is your first language. You don't need any special training but must be somewhat social and able to carry on a conversation. You have to pay your way to and from the meeting point. Your meals and accommodation during the program are covered.
You will probably need to pay for a hotel etc for at least the night before and after the program which typically runs from Sunday through Friday afternoon.
Now I have eaten a huge dinner including a glass of wine and it's 1030. Some of the group have gone off to a pub in town to play trivia. I am happy to be alone in my room, enjoying the peace and quiet.