Maríam Muñoz Sánchez worked as a British Council MLA in Edinburgh from September 2016 to May 2017. Some of her projects included bringing Andalusian culture to students by teaching about Spanish festivals and traditions like Seville's Feria de Abril. She shared knowledge of folklore terms like "castañuelas" and dances like "las sevillanas." Her work was shared online with secondary schools. Overall, her goal as an MLA was to bring Spanish culture and language closer to Scottish people through various projects and events, including an immersion day to motivate Spanish language learning. Her work benefited teachers and students.

1. MARÍAMUÑOZ SÁNCHEZ
Highlights of my work as a British Council MLA
in Edinburgh Sep-2016 to May-2017

2. FERIA DE
ABRIL
Bienvenidosala
Sevilla
• Bring the Andalusian culture closer to students
• Share knowledge about Spanish festivals and traditions
• Increase students’ vocabulary about Spanish folklore, e.g.
castañuelas, palmas etc.
• Teach about "el flamenco", dancing to one of its most
famous "palos": "las sevillanas"

4. This resource will be shared with all secondary
schools through the online repository Yolasite!

5. During my assistantship I was able to participate in many projects and events,
always with the aim of bringing my culture and language closer to Scottish people.
But that’s not all!
…and much more!
Immersion day to motivate students to
continue with Spanish
Group work with fellow MLAs
Participation in national events…

6. Teacher Testimonial
MLAs tend to develop a closer-familiar
rapport with pupils as they are younger and
thus likely to have more things in common
i.e. use of social networks, publications, IT
usage, use of expressions according to our
pupils' age, update in systems of education
to compare- contrast.
Class teachers benefit immensely from a
young and proactive MLA as s/he can help
update material (particularly at senior level),
produce texts and other resources e.g.
games in the ML, record internal
assessment, and most of all provide updates
of current affairs from their home country.
MLAs are able to integrate in all ML
department activities, in wider school
community events and in our case even
with the secondary school cluster primaries.
The spectrum of collaboration and benefit
from both parties is immense and extremely
valuable.
Manuel Montenegro.
St. Thomas of Aquin's High School