16. THE BILINGUAL PROGRAMME. (Seven compositions - BACHILLERATO 1)

From my point of view, the bilingual programme has been more successful than people thought it was going to be.

 When I was in primary school, English was one of the subjects that was the most difficult to me. I didn’t get very high marks. Because of that, when I started first of ESO I was not in the bilingual programme. During that year I learnt a lot, but not as much as I have in the bilingual programme. When I started second of ESO, I was in it. At first, it was difficult as I hadn’t been in it the previous year. However, I have learnt a lot throughout all these years.

I think that the most difficult aspect of the bilingual programme is to have subjects in English. This year it is Physical Education, so it is not as hard as the previous ones, but in third of ESO it was History. We learnt a lot of new vocabulary, but it was very difficult to study in spite of the fact that we have two more hours of English every week. That makes a huge difference.       

In conclusion, the bilingual programme has been a fantastic idea as people learn English very well. In addition, we are lucky since it is given in a public high-school for free.

By S.E.

If you want to learn English well the best thing you can do is to join the bilingual programme. This programme is quite good for learning just English since you can’t really learn French here.

I really like the bilingual programme as it’s very useful for our future. I’ve studied English and French in this programme. In English, you will learn to write, speak and understand everything through the years whereas in French you won’t learn much as with the other language since there are less hours and it’s not compulsory.

Everything I know about English is due to this bilingual programme, that’s why I recommend everybody to join it and experience it. One thing is clear, you will have to work hard and be persistent to get good marks because it’s not easy.

                                            By A.R

The bilingual programme is an excellent opportunity to increase your English level. But for that to happen, there must be qualified teachers.

In my opinion, there are good English teachers in my high school, but some of the other teachers who teach different subjects in English, are not as prepared as I think they should. But, of course, we are the first group to experience the 'bilingual' programme.

Personally, I like it as it increases my knowledge of English. Despite this, coming to English classes in the afternoon is really tiring, and it makes me be scarce of time.

But, to sum up, I think the bilingual programme has more advantages than disadvantages and I don't regret having chosen this optional programme since 1st of ESO.

                                                                                 By A.D.

The bilingual programme is a very good start for children to learn English, and as it is free, even families who can’t afford paying an academy, can get their children to learn more English than what they learn at a normal school.

In my opinion, in Spain, the way of learning English is quite disappointing, as in high school you just have three hours of it, and then you won’t have any contact with it. That means that in three hours you have to learn a language. This is quite idifficult, so it might be a waste of time. On the other hand, in the bilingual programme, you will learn some other subjects in English, what might seem more difficult, but if you really want to do it, it is not that complicated, and that will improve your level a lot, as I think that it is more important  to speak a language than learning the grammar, since when you go to an English-speaking country, many people will just skip this grammar, as people also do in Spain, and we don’t notice because we are accostumed to it.

In conclusion, I totally agree with the bilingual education system, and I hope that it will continue forever.

                                                                                     By A.S

At the age of 11, I was going to start my hard stage at the high school. I was extremely excited. Although I knew that it was going to be more difficult, I was really self-confident as I had been getting in most of my exams A+.

When I was asked if I wanted to be in the bilingual programme, I rejected the proposal. However, my mother forced me since she knew that I was going to learn more than in the non bilingual programme. On the one hand, I was going to be with most of my friends and that was a good point. On the other hand, I had to go two hours to the high school on Tuesday afternoons. This was the main reason why I didn’t want to take part in this programme.

Now, I’m really proud of having entered here since I have learnt a lot of English. Also, I have been in several camps where I have met new friends. Last year, I met up with a girl whom I had met at “The Week Camp” in first of ESO. We hadn’t changed so much, so we recognised each other. Since the summer, we have got along very well and, at this moment, I could say that she is one of my best friends; therefore, if I hadn’t chosen the bilingual programme, I wouldn’t have met her.

Another positive fact of this type of programme is that it helps you a lot with other exams that you take on your own. I mean, you know English so you can do Cambridge tests, which are going to be useful in the future. For example, I’m trying to get the B2 certificate and I’m looking forward to getting it this year or next.

To sum up, I’m grateful for having this bilingual programme at this high school for two main reasons: I have learnt a lot of English and I have met good friends.

                                                                       By J.B

When my parents offered me the possibility of joining the bilingual programme in my new high school, it didn’t take me a long time to make my decision. It seemed to me that it was an opportunity to improve my English, without the obligation of paying extra lessons out of the high school. And in spite of not knowing if it would be really hard or a waste of time (as I had never been in a bilingual programme before), I joined it.

To my satisfaction, it has turned out to be a great experience since I can appreciate how my level of English rises. Having a spare hour every Monday and Wednesday isn’t a big effort for me. Besides, those days I haven’t got athletics training, so I have enough time to do my homework.

I am also really happy to be in class with such hardworking mates, because it creates a comfortable atmosphere to work in.

All in all, having joined the bilingual programme has become an advantage for me, and though working extra hours becomes a bit tiring some days, I know that it will be really useful for my future.

By M.S.

In my opinion, the bilingual programme is a perfect choice for students as they will learn more English than if they were not studying it and it also is useful for our future as English is the most important lenguage to find a job.

Nowadays, most people go to an English School  to take the B2 exam since if you pass this exam before going to the university, you won´t have to do more English lessons. However, there are a lot of people who have already passed the B2 certificate and they are preparing for the C1  certificate. But if you choose the bilingual programme you don´t have to go to any other English School unless you want to take a higher level.

I believe that nowadays, the bilingual programme is essentialB for students since their English level will improve a lot.

                                                         By J.B.S 

15. AN IMAGINARY STORY WRITTEN BY GIRLS: MY GIRLFRIEND HAS PHONED ME AND TOLD ME THAT SHE IS PREGNANT. ( Three compositions - BACHILLERATO 1)

My girlfriend has phoned and told me that she is pregnant. I'm still in shock. My heart and stomach have turned around.

I don't feel prepared to be a father. I almost don't know how to be a good son, so it is incredible for me to think that in less than nine months I am going to have a small and delicate baby in my arms. And more incredible is that that baby will be my child.

It may sound strange, but although we started dating 4 months ago, it has been time enough to say that I love Ruth.

Being a teenage father was not into my plans: I had always imagined me marrying a beautiful woman at the age of thirty, not eighteen. However, now I have received this phone call everything has changed. I hope my family and Ruth's will support us in this new stage of our lives.

I don't know what I'll do next, but what I'm sure of is that I am going to take care of my child.

                                                                     By A.D

My girlfriend has told me that she is pregnant! I tried to stay calm while she was talking to me on the telephone, because I imagined how nervous she was, but I couldn't.

I realized that something was happening when she started talking, I noticed it in her voice. When she told me I couldn't believe it. I don't think that I am ready for this; neither is my girlfriend. I am only 18 years old, I have already started my degree, so what I am going to do? This is going to change my whole life, but I have to do it. I am not going to leave my girlfriend and my child is not going to grow up without a father.

The most important thing for me now is telling my parents. I need their help. The point is how I am going to tell them. I am afraid of how they are going to react, but I think that once that I tell them, everything is going to be alright.

Now, I am going to go to my girlfriend's house. I think that she needs my support.  

                                                                         By S.E     





                         I don’t know how to feel about the news. On the one hand, having a baby is one of the most scary things in life, even more when you are so young. On the other hand, I’m kind of excited since my girlfriend and I are very close and we get along well.

One thing is clear, we are having this baby. This does not mean that I am against abortion. I just think that if we had been more careful we would not be in this position right now, so it is our fault. We have to carry the consequences and try to be strong. The main problem is that we are both studying at the high school at the moment and we are finishing in a short time. So, I believe we will have to combine both activities: raising a child and studying.

I am also scared about the money. We can’t pay everything that our child will need as we are not working now. I guess our families will help us.

I really hope that our friends and families will support and help us in this new stage of our lives. I think we will get through this experience and learn from our mistakes.

                                                                                                       Anonymous                                           

14. SENDING OLD PEOPLE TO RETIREMENT HOMES. (Six different compositions - BACHILLERATO 1)

           Retirement homes are a good thing as when someone in your family is old you can send him to a retirement home. But, it is difficult to do it.

           On the one hand, when your parents or grandparents are old, it is difficult to stay with them at home and look after them all the time. They are old and they need cares, but you can’t constantly be at home with them as people need to work or go out. When this happens, retirement homes are a good place where old people can be happy speaking with other people, and of course, there are workers who look after them.

           On the other hand, it is hard to send people whom you love to retirement homes. You can’t see them as much as you used to before sending them to those places. In addition, I think that when old people go to those places, it remembers them that they are old, and in some way that is positive because they have had a long life but it is sad to remember that you are going to stay in the same place until you die without the company of your relatives.

           In conclusion, retirement homes are good places for old people, where others look after them. However, it is sad to say goodbye to people you love and know that they are going to stay in the same place forever.

                                                                                      

                                                                                                    By S.E.

Sending old people to 'retirement homes' is always a tough decision to make, but sometimes there is no other way to solve a complicated familiar situation.

Although some people send their parents to 'retirement homes' because they don't want to take care of them, there are other people, as only children, that can't take care of them because of reasons like work, money, children...

It is really sad to see your own parents, those who gave this life for you and those who love you even more than themselves, in a retirement home with people they don't know or love.

So, I hope my parents won't have to be sent to retirement homes as I love them so much and I am going to take care of them so they don't have to spend the last years of their live in a strange place with strange people, but with the ones they love.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                      By A.D.

When you are old, you are no longer able to do all the activities that you used to do. Old people usually have some kind of disease –heart problems, breathing problems, disability, and cholesterol- so one of the best things you can do is to take them to a place where they will be taken care of. Therefore, ‘retirement homes’ are a good spot for them.

In these installations there are a lot of activities for elderly people. They can learn new things or practise some exercise. On the one hand, these places are convenient for them since this way they won’t feel totally alone –as in their houses they can feel lonely. On the other hand, this is not a place to get rid of old people since they usually need help. When you send your mother or your grandfather there it’s because you will visit her or him regularly.

My mum has usually told me that the day when she won’t be able to do anything on her own; I should send her to one of these places. She doesn’t want to be a nuisance or to take my time away while I can be doing another thing –just like her mother did to her. In my opinion, ‘retirement homes’ are a good option when all your ideas are over.

                                                                                           By A.R

I would never send anyone to a retirement home. I would look for other alternatives, such as paying someone to look after the person at home. 

I hate retirement homes. This is because once, a few years ago, I went to one and I had a bad experience. I went with my mother and my grandmother to visit a cousin of my grandmother and when we walked through the door, an old man told me he wanted to leave and before I let him out a nurse told me that he couldn’t get out, but the old man grabbed the door because he wanted to escape, and then another man,   who also wanted to go out, came and I didn’t know what to do, so my mother came and closed the door.

Inside the retirement home, there were a lot of elderly people in a room sitting in chairs doing nothing and they all seemed very sad. One had even peed in the middle of the room and nobody did anything.

Everything seemed very sad, but otherwise it is a good place to go if you are a dependent elderly person and nobody can look after you.

                                           By Anonymous 

When we grow older and we finally become an old man or woman, we expect a sweet future full of good memories, surrounded by our children and grandchildren and telling them all our youth stories. Well, that’s the idyllic situation, but in fact many old people are sent to a retirement house and left there like objects, without having more contact with their relatives.

In my opinion, children mustn’t “abandon” their parents just because they are really old, and when taking care of them supposes a hard obligation. There are many cases of sons and daughters who only visit their parents at Christmas time, maybe feeling slightly guilty, and it is a fact that some people never call on their parents once they start living in an old people’s home. Instead of doing this, they should appreciate them for all the things they have done for them. Although they have less life left to live, they need support and company in this period, and a simple thing that would make them happy is a visit of their family.

Retirement homes don’t have to be bad or inconvenient for the elderly. Actually, they can be an opportunity to meet new people and do activities that entertain them. The problem appears when these places become areas to leave old people forever. Visiting your parents at least once a week is not really hard and will keep the relationship parents-children alive.

                                                                            By M.S

One month ago, my greatgrandfather got mad at my grandmother (his daughter) as she had sent him to a retirement home for one month. Why did he get angry? Did my grandmother disrespect her experienced father, who is in fact 103 years old, by doing this?

In my opinion, my grandmother did well, as she is rather old, and she cannot keep up with the rhythm of life that looking after a 103 year old conveys. I mean, she is around seventy years old, she has not got either the strength or the patience that are required in order to help her father. She even had to have her house cleaned by a cleaning company once as she had not got the time to do it.

What I am trying to explain with this example is that we have to understand someone who was taking care of an old person before criticising him for having sent a relative to a retirement home. After all, these places allow elderly people to make new friends and meet new people that they would never have met if they had not gone there.

I believe that society should stop considering retirement homes a negative thing, as they are a really useful tool for old people's relatives to enjoy their own lives.

                                                      By SPA

13. WHY WEREN'T THERE ANY FEMALE CANDIDATES TO THE HIGH SCHOOL BOARD ? (Four compositions - Bachillerato 1)

When the utility of being part of the high school board is null, nobody wants to put herself forward as a candidate; that’s the main reason why the rest of the school doesn’t care who the chosen person is or why nobody wants to be part of it.

I understand that this organization must exist just to control our rights as a students but no one wants to go to meetings during the breaks. The truth is that when you are elected you can’t exercise any power since you are a minority.

With all of this I want to say that the fact that there weren’t any female candidates to the high school board is not related to machismo or to the thought that women are inferior. We just don’t want to go to a place where you aren’t able to do anything. There is not any deeper thought behind this truth.

                                                                                        Anonymous

Girls are often said to be much more mature than boys. However, when the girls of our high school were asked to take part in the high school board, none of them had the confidence to do it.

Society has made us think that girls grow up faster than boys do, but I believe that is not something positive. From my point of view, girls are more concerned about what the rest of people think about them than boys. As a result of this, girls end up being less self-confident than boys, as we do not really care about what people say about us; we are true to ourselves. We know that we are who we decide to be, and that way of thinking makes us take part in the high school board without thinking about what others will say about us. We just see it like a way of helping, since there is a huge lack of candidates, and out teachers seem to appreciate the aid we give them.

I would like to say that not all the girls or boys are as I have described them, I am talking in general.

                                                                       By S.P.A

The absence of girls in the high school board is just due to a simple coincidence. Someone could think that girls were unconfident and decided not to stand for the elections because they were not prepared well enough. I don’t think so at all.

In my opinion, girls are as capable as boys to carry this post out. Furthermore, women can be sometimes better at these tasks since they tend to be more patient and well-organized. That doesn’t mean that men aren’t, but at those ages, girls are usually more mature than boys.

Perhaps this year girls weren’t interested in that kind of responsibilities and thought of it as a waste of time. Maybe girls believed that popular boys were going to succeed, or they had the fear of not getting any votes. In that aspect, boys might be more confident and don’t care about critics.

In conclusion, girls are as able as boys to perform this position. I am sure there will be some girls struggling for their purpose in next elections.   

                                                        By  M.S

There were no female candidates to the high school board as in my view boys are better at making quick decisions, they are firmer on their opinions and they express more clearly and directly their opinion.

On the other hand, girls are more discreet and timid than boys when talking in public, and giving personal opinions. They might be very talkative with people whom they rely on, however they get nervous when they must express their feelings, and even more if they have to contradict other people's opinions. That's why I wouldn't like to be a candidate to the school board, although I think that some girls could gather as many good qualities as boys.

However, boys still prefer having power and control of situations, whereas girls are not so interested in such matters. They just want to go to school and have fun without the need of feeling important or having responsabilities.

                                                                               Anonymous