Our Portuguese friends visited us

We were visited by a group of Portuguese students from Loulé. They arrived at Torneo petrol station without having breakfast. So the first thing we did after introducing was precisely to go to a bar and had breakfast. At first it was a little difficult to get into contact but after a few minutes we began to speak with them.

Walking down Alfonso XII street we arrived at the Museun Square where some students told them about this historical place including the statue of our famous painter Murillo; it was funny because some of them understood "Mourinho" and we all laughed. Then, we continued to the Silencio church, where other students explained them briefly about the brotherhood.

As they wanted to know where to buy some presents, we told them they were just in the center of the town and showed them Duque square. Finally, after this tour, we went into the school. Sister Cocha and Marisol were waiting to greet them. Alexander, their teacher asked me about our school and the Spanish educational system , although he knew a lot because he had been working in a Spanish school for a short period of time.

Manu was at the Concert Hall (salón de actos) to share our experiments. It was perhaps the best part; that is to say, both groups joined by the same idea: Funny experiments connecting us.

After the experiments in our school, we began our little tour of about one hour and a half starting in Sierpes street and walking around the main commercial axis downtown. Then we reached Plaza de San Francisco and Seville’s immense cathedral. We had a fantastic view of La Giralda from Plaza de la Virgen de los Reyes, where we took some pictures.

We surrounded the old walls of the Álcazar until we finally entered Santa Cruz quarter (old Jewish neighbourhood with very narrow streets). From Plaza de Santa Cruz we arrived at the famous Plaza de Doña Elvira. After a short walk along Callejón del Agua and Murillo’s gardens, we found Seville University.

Finally we walked our way back arriving at Plaza Nueva, the city’s principal public square, until we finally reached Plaza de la Campana again, where Portuguese students were left to have lunch at a fast food place.

Alexander was explaining us that secondary education courses in Portugal have a duration of three years, corresponding to the 10th, 11th and 12th grades, and is open to students who have obtained the basic education certificate. Attendance to these courses is optional. Usually, students are aged between fifteen and seventeen.

There is a variety of secondary education options available to students. They can choose between courses aimed primarily at those seeking to enter the job market (technology courses) and others for those hoping to continue on to higher education (general courses).

All courses contain a technical, technological and vocational element, as well as Portuguese language and culture, in accordance with the general thrust of the course, and students are able to cross from one course to another. The curriculum is divided into subjects, with one teacher, in principle, for each subject.