Spanish Immersion Day / NCEA Workshop 2022
The Spanish Programme of the University of Canterbury, with the support of the Embassy of Spain in New Zealand, Tui Tuia Learning Circle and LatAm CAPE (Latin America Centre of Asia-Pacific Excellence), and the amazing collaboration of Spanish language teachers from Burnside High School, Cashmere High School, Hillmorton High School, Middleton Grange School, Rangi Ruru Girl’s School, Rolleston College, Roncalli College and St Andrew’s College, organized on Tuesday 7th June 2022 the fifth Spanish Immersion Day / NCEA Workshop for high school students of Spanish from Christchurch and the Canterbury area.
This year we had nearly 250 high school Spanish students who prepared for their NCEA exams over two academic sessions organized for 12 groups of students of NCEA levels 1, 2 and 3, taught by teachers of the schools involved and UC senior Spanish students. There was also a fun culture session organized by Sergio Esteban Redondo and Carla Fernandez, which involved games and prizes and proved to be a very successful activity!
Complementary morning tea, sponsored by the Embassy of Spain in New Zealand, was offered to all the participants, and complimentary lunch, sponsored by Tui Tuia Learning Circle, was offered to the teachers, speakers and organizers. Two Spanish and Latin American food trucks were invited to campus for lunch time so attending students had the opportunity to try delicious Hispanic food.
We had a lucky dip where several prizes donated by the UC Marketing and Outreach Department, the Embassy of Spain in New Zealand, ImmerseMe, Instituto Cervantes Sydney, LatAm CAPE and Bella Jewellery of Merivale were given away. The event drew to a close where all participants danced to a beautiful bicultural song recently produced by Victoria Escaip: “Bailan (Kotahitanga)” by Oriana Setz featuring Jake Kīanō Skinner:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1f85VneGMs
Even though the day was very intense, all participants left very happy and with a huge smile on their face (behind their masks!). The staff from the Spanish Programme, Dr Victoria Escaip, Sergio Esteban and Carla Fernandez, were really pleased with the outcome. Special thanks to the Administrator of the Department of Global, Cultural & Language Studies, Jill Winfield, who played a key role in the organization of this very successful outreach event.
