TOO OLD TO LEARN? (ADULTS LEARNING ENGLISH ON INTERNATIONAL DAY OF OLDER PERSONS) ["WHEN I'M 64", The Beatles]

The International Day of the Retired is officially observed globally as the International Day of Older Persons on October 1st every year. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1990, the day is devoted to recognizing the contributions of older and retired individuals to society and addressing the challenges of aging.

So today we are asking is it too old to learn a language?

Audio "WHEN I'M 64"*, The Beatles:

  *Now I'm 64 

THE 'RAFAEL DIESTE' ENGLISH DEPARTMENT REUNION

Hilda Fraga, one of the original members of the 'Rafael Dieste' secondary school English Department since its beginning back in 1990,  celebrated her retirement today. For the first time, all the official members that have been part of this department throughout all these years gathered together. From the first members: Mª Luisa, Carmen (Rubio), Elsa & Elena (exception of the late Paco de la Iglesia), to the ones who came after replacing them chronologically: myself (Ramón), Belén, Carmen (Peña) & Isabel.

All these members (plus Juan Carlos & Inma), many other stand in substitutes and 12 conversation assistants have been teaching English in this school for the last 35 years. Three of them will still carry on and there will be others to follow and continue the task...

Hoping Hilda enjoys this new period in her life, knowing she has been such an inspiring, caring and very respected person in this school.

It has been an honour working with her and all the others. All the best to them!

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2025 FROM ClickOnEnglish!

[+ CELEBRATION & NEW YEAR IDIOMS, PHRASAL VERBS, TRADITIONS & RESOLUTIONS]

First anniversary of my retirement.

 

 

CHRISTMAS VOCABULARY (HAPPY HOLIDAYS! MERRY XMAS!)

 

Tomorrow's the first anniversary of my retirement.

THE SCHOOL SAYS GOOD-BYE TO CARLOS, THE CARETAKER

 Today, "Rafael Dieste" says good-bye to our caretaker, Carlos. He hasn't been here many years, but he has definitely become a dear member for all the staff and among the students.

Good luck in your new life, Carlos!

RETIREMENT (& CHANGE IDIOMS)

 

21-12-2023, THE DAY TO REMEMBER: MY FAREWELL TO "RAFAEL DIESTE"

I'll always remember how you said goodbye to me on the last day at school before Christmas, which was also my last day as an English school teacher.

Thanks a lot to all teachers and students who planned this massive and emotional farewell. 

Thanks to the students in 3ºB for your present, a box of chocolates, that I was very glad to share with you.

Thanks to the students in 3ºC, who wanted me to be in their Christmas photos.

Thanks to all my students in the other groups who gave me a round of applause in each last class.

Thank you all!

Special thanks to Pablo Benito (3ºC), Aida, Marisa & Mateo for the photos and videos.

My final speech at the Christmas lunch with teachers and school staff:

Angel, Aida & myself on this same day, remembering our years (2008-2012) as members of the school's management team together with Xosé Ramón. Below us four in 2010.

I'd also like to thank all the workmates who took part in my sendoff:

Adela Sueiro, Aida Aneiros, Alba Pérez, Amara Gómez, Amelia Carril, Ana Bermúdez, Ana Vidal, Andrea Trasancos, Ángel Lozano, Arcadio González, Beatriz Cuesta, Beatriz López-Suevos, Begoña Fandiño, Begoña Santamaría, Belén Méndez, Blanca Sebastián, Carlos Blanco, Carmela Vázquez, Carmen Cordal, Carmen Peña, Carmen Rodríguez, Carolina Muiño, Dores Castro, Elena Brenlla, Eloi Rodríguez, Flora García, Hilda Fraga, Inma Mato, Isabel González, Isabel López, Isabel Viña, Javier Barrós, Laura Díaz, Lucía Sesto, Manuel Santos, Manuel Torres, Mar Seara, María Lema, Marisa Castiñeira, Mateo Torres, Matilde de Cal, Mercedes Garrote, Norma Fariña, Pedro García, Rafael Fernández, Ramón Barreiro, Sandro Gestal, Sara Maison, Silvia Fernández, Xulia Gallego.

Thanks also to other colleagues who learnt about it later and sent kind messages: Alberto González, Carlos Lens, Chus Suárez, Elena García, Eva Mesejo, Fernando Gómez, Helen Grela, Isabel Couceiro, Manuel Rodríguez, Mª José Pereira, Mariam Otero, Mercedes Calvo, Mercedes Pascual, Juan Carlos Portela,  Paul Behrend, Sarah Wade, Victoria Allones, Xosé Ramón Domínguez, Xulio Banga, Yolanda Varela.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH / MUCHAS GRACIAS / MOITAS GRAZAS

COUNTDOWN-0. IT'S NOT THE SAME AS IT WAS...

This is the end, it's time to retire because it's not the same as it was... things change and... this is my final post as a working teacher...  

Tune in to follow the posts on the second part of the German Exchange in March 2024.

I'll keep the blog open for people interested to come and browse because there's a lot on it... 

But otherwise, I don't know if I'll keep on posting so often... maybe from time to time... you'll see...

It's been great to be an English teacher... Good luck to everyone!!

This is the reminder of the last exam I placed and corrected, the last exam of my 36-year teaching career. (Done & corrected on Friday, November 24th)

COUNTDOWN-1

day to the end...
 

COUNTDOWN-2

 days to the end...

COUNTDOWN-3

days to the end...