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Leonardo da Vinci Project 2011- Vocational Education, Language, Culture & Work Experience in Tenerife: Project No: 163059
Two Birmingham schools, 12 6th form boys from Cockshut School, Yardley and Lordswood Boys School, Edgbaston took part in a Leonardo da Vinci Mobility Project. Sarah Grocutt, Director of FitnessExcel Teacher Training Academy created the project and applied for European funding to support the project. The project involved a small group of 6th form students studying a vocational fitness instruction course combined with Spanish and a three week work placement in Tenerife.
The project would give students added value and credibility to their Cvs. Students studied Spanish combined with the vocational course alongside their A levels. Their placement involved one week of intense Spanish vocabulary linked to fitness instruction combined with cultural experiences at the host school before undertaking a fitness instructors position in sports and summer camps in Tenerife to put their skills to the test.
All students were assessed on their skills and work competencies using Spanish and were awarded a Europass, a european portfolio of evidence to include certificates from employers, training provider and language school. Below are some of the student's case studies and experiences.
Case Study – Sohail age 18
I studied for a Fitness Instruction level 2 Qualification with Fitness Excel, combined with Spanish and a three week work placement. My work placement was based in a children's summer tennis camp.
The Leonardo da Vinci project has enabled me to use all my skills which I learnt on my vocational course of study and developed additional sports skills such as coaching the children tennis in the sports camp and instructing them martial arts skills. This experience has really helped me develop my confidence.
I have learnt how to manage money on a budget, improve my linguistic Spanish skills by working with Spanish children. I have also made new friends and met other students from countries such as Turkey and Germany. This experience and the transferable skills gained on placement will definitely help me with my future career as I plan to study business studies and management at university. I can highly recommend work placements for other students.
Students worked within four different organisations to gain their work experience ranging from health and fitness suites, childrens summer camps, tennis clubs and schools running lessons and activities. Students demonstrating their instructing and Spanish language in the Gym by carrying out an assessment on a client, conducting fitness sessions whilst learning Spanish vocabulary. Other students devised fitness and sports activities within the local communities. This enabled students to experience a different culture.
Participants engaged in many Cultural experiences such as a very large carnival which was being held in the town of Puerto de la Cruz. Students participated in many local traditions such as Salsa Dancing, flamenco, beach volleyball, visits to Siam Water Kingdom and Loro Parque as well as trying out their language skills in the hotels and restaurants. Educational Talks – Students and teachers attended a lecture delivered by Dr Javier, a local medic who specialises in altitude training where they gained an insight into the psychological and physiological demands placed upon the cardiovascular system in high altitude triathlon training. There was plenty of free time was spent participating in Spain's most popular sports, tennis and football. Both schools held regular friendly matches with their teachers every evening and pushed their fitness to the limit.
Student's experience
"It was a good balance between free time to visit places of interest combined with the work placement. The first week was essential to acclimatise to Tenerife as I had not been before. The intense Spanish language at the Host school have me confidence to go out and use my linguistic skills in shops and cafes before going on the two week work placement".
Student practising their Spanish instructing skills to groups of children at a local summer camp. "Working in a different environment has developed additional skills for me, such as managing a group, participating in different sports, communicating in Spanish as well as observing other coaches and working alongside them was a great learning experience", this is a great opportunity and I would definitely like to return next year".
An award ceremony was held on the final day of the trip, where participants said goodbye and thanked their hosts. All students were awarded a Europass, a european document containing Cvs, training provider's and references from employers together with FU Academy's language competencies and key skills undertaken during the work placement. The Europass enables students to work throughout Europe as many employers recognise Europass.
Future Successes
FitnessExcel has won the European Language Label Award.
100 companies across the UK applied and FitnessExcel was shortlisted along with 30 other companies. Three Lordswood students took part along with Sarah Grocutt and were assessed instructing fitness related activities to year 4 children at Blue Coat School, Edgbaston. Assessors from London observed teaching at the school. FitnessExcel's success was based on simplicity and innovative ideas incorporating language and physical education. An award ceremony will take place in London at the end of the year.
For more information on Projects involving vocational education, language and work placements for your schools and colleges please contact Sarah on 07910 413964.
We would also like to take the opportunity to thank our sponsors 'Mucklows Property Developers' based in Halesowen for supporting the project and donating money to buy T-shirts for all the students who took part.
Picture of all students and their PE teachers receiving their Europass by Directors at the FU Academy, Tenerife.
Report: Sarah Grocutt, Project Manager
Leonardo da Vinci Project 2011- Vocational Education, Language, Culture & Work Experience in Tenerife: Project No: 163059 PDF >>
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