On 2 June 2026, the University of Canterbury once again welcomed more than 300 secondary school students for the ninth annual Spanish Immersion Day / NCEA Workshop, a vibrant event designed to help students prepare for their NCEA Spanish examinations while celebrating the language and cultures of the Spanish-speaking world.
Organised by the UC Spanish Programme with the support of the Embassy of Spain in New Zealand, Language Circle, and a dedicated team of Spanish teachers from schools across Christchurch and Canterbury, the day transformed the UC campus into a lively hub of language learning, cultural discovery, and community engagement.
Students participated in a range of interactive workshops tailored to NCEA Levels 1, 2, and 3. Sixteen groups were led by fifteen secondary school teachers and five senior UC Spanish students, creating valuable opportunities for younger learners to connect with university students who share their passion for languages.
The event opened with a warm welcome from Professor Kevin Watson, Executive Dean of Arts, alongside UC Spanish lecturers Dr Victoria Escaip, Wladimir Padilla, and Julia Rincón, and Paola Iasci, Spanish National Adviser for Language Circle. A highlight of the morning was an inspiring keynote address by Chandler McEwen, a UC Spanish and Master of Applied Translation and Interpreting (MATI) student, who shared how studying Spanish has opened doors to new cultures, experiences, and opportunities.
While the day was firmly focused on learning, there was also plenty of room for fun. One of the biggest surprises at the Opening Session was a hilarious recreation of Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance by Spanish lecturer Wladimir Padilla, who proved that language teaching and entertainment can go hand in hand. The performance had students and teachers laughing, singing, and dancing along.
Throughout the day, participants enjoyed cultural activities, games, and prizes organised by UC Spanish lecturers Wladimir Padilla and Julia Rincón. Generous support from the Embassy of Spain, Language Circle, ImmerseMe, Instituto Cervantes Sydney, The Curator’s House, Pedro’s Lamb, Bella Jewellery, and UC Marketing and Outreach made it possible to offer refreshments, prizes, and other special touches that helped make the event memorable.
At lunchtime, Spanish and Latin American food trucks brought a taste of the Hispanic world to campus, giving students the opportunity to experience the flavours behind the language they study.
The day concluded in true Latin American style, with everyone joining together to dance to *Canción Bonita* by Carlos Vives and Ricky Martin. Judging by the smiles, laughter, and energy throughout the day, Spanish Immersion Day 2026 was another resounding success.
The UC Spanish Programme extends its sincere thanks to all participating schools, teachers, volunteers, sponsors, and especially to administrators Laura Biddlecombe and Mariana Tomarelli, whose outstanding organisational work helped make this event possible. Together, they created a memorable experience that inspired hundreds of young people to continue their journey with Spanish.
