Today was our last full day in Milan before our flight home Saturday morning, everyone felt sad as it was our final day at the school. We arrived at the school at 9am ready to play some volleyball and a dip in the pool.
After our eventful morning with Tanya and Chris we all went down stairs to the canteen to eat our lunch, today's special was pasta as usual. After saying our goodbyes to the Italian students and teachers we went back to the hostel to pack our bags ready to go home. Whilst at the hostel we decide to take a final trip to the town centre of Milan were we were granted free time to do what we want within reason, I decided to have a look in all if the shops and have a drink in a cafe.
After this we took a long journey on the metro to our destination which was a all you can eat buffet, unfortunately this restaurant wasn't my favourite, although their fruit cocktails were delicious.
After out final dinner together we then went back to the hostel for an early night ready for the dreaded early start tomorrow,.
This will be the end of our two week experience in Milan, therefore being our final blog:(
Ciao!
Dawn Chadwick
Friday, 28 February 2014
Thursday, 27 February 2014
Day 11 - Inside and Out
As we approach the end of the project, the teachers at the school have now given us near enough full control over the classes we have been given to lead. Over the four lessons all the lads alternated taking up different roles within the session. I saw this as a great opportunity to show the leaders of the project and the teachers at the school the skills I have to offer when leading sessions. For the majority of the sessions I took the main leading role of the group. This involved telling the pupils in the group the activities they would be doing and giving simple explanations to give them full understanding. I used clear and simple English words to explain and asked the other leaders to demonstrate.
During the session the groups lead a full warm up including stretches using the whole body. After the warm up we selected 3 or 4 students to be captains depending on the size of the class to then choose teams. This method meant that the teams would be picked equally as the students know each other's strengths whereas we don't.
For the last lesson as it was the older students the teachers gave us a rest from coaching and we participated with the students in football.
The evening meal was at the normal time however the walk back to the hostel was not as expected. As we stepped out of the restaurant we were met by a few light showers along with thunder and lightening! In no less the 100m further down the road, the light showers went to extremely heavy showers... We were not impressed. Just as we thought things could get no worse, hail stone. By this point everyone was drowned and had given up. The only thought on everyone's mind was the shower when we got in, which was everyone's first move when we arrived back at the hostel.
A very productive, enjoyable and WET day!
Ciao xox
Day 12 -
Last day coaching.
Today I woke up earlier than usual to get my clothes from the dryer and it was a waste ofmy time because my clothes were still damp because the dryers were not all to good. Then we took loads of biscuites from the breakfast AGAIN hahaha! Then we came down stairs and waiting for people and then left for school!
When we got to the school we went into our usual room with the really cool chairs with there own swurly desks! Then we went to our first lesson was with a teacher that gave us the opportunity to observe Vollyball and athletics deeply wich gave me an opportunity to icrease my knowlage and skills of Coaching the two sports.
Then we went and played vollyball for like 2 hours and my arms are aching! This made my skills at vollyball better because the italian girls were helping me with my technique Then ee went to lunch and had really nice kunch with red oranges that are really nice! There really juicy and were way nice!!! Then we got back to the hostel and we went to the shop to get so, e bits and bobs to take home!!
This week has gone really fast and I have become close to new people and made new friends that are realy close and im deffinetly gonna keep in touch! Im exited to go home because I miss my family but I want to stay because im gonna miss people here, even tanya and chris. I didnt think we would all become as close as we did but its good!
I would definetly come on something like this again, and WORK FOR UKLC;) not hinting one little bit! Iv had such a good trips,?
Today I woke up earlier than usual to get my clothes from the dryer and it was a waste ofmy time because my clothes were still damp because the dryers were not all to good. Then we took loads of biscuites from the breakfast AGAIN hahaha! Then we came down stairs and waiting for people and then left for school!
When we got to the school we went into our usual room with the really cool chairs with there own swurly desks! Then we went to our first lesson was with a teacher that gave us the opportunity to observe Vollyball and athletics deeply wich gave me an opportunity to icrease my knowlage and skills of Coaching the two sports.
Then we went and played vollyball for like 2 hours and my arms are aching! This made my skills at vollyball better because the italian girls were helping me with my technique Then ee went to lunch and had really nice kunch with red oranges that are really nice! There really juicy and were way nice!!! Then we got back to the hostel and we went to the shop to get so, e bits and bobs to take home!!
This week has gone really fast and I have become close to new people and made new friends that are realy close and im deffinetly gonna keep in touch! Im exited to go home because I miss my family but I want to stay because im gonna miss people here, even tanya and chris. I didnt think we would all become as close as we did but its good!
I would definetly come on something like this again, and WORK FOR UKLC;) not hinting one little bit! Iv had such a good trips,?
Tuesday, 25 February 2014
Day 10 - Pre Birthday Day
Today we woke up at 7 however I didn't go down for breakfast due to me being rather tired. Then went down stairs at 8 so we could get the met to school. When we were at school we got given our timetables telling us where we were and what lesson we would be in.
My first lesson was with Rossie where we had to time the pupils running a lap of the pitch then recored there time. I found this easy as they all understood what I was trying to say and followed my instructions.
My second lesson was with Pisterello where the pupils took part in football where they played half pitch 7-a-side game, my role in this session was to be a referee making sure that the players kept to the rules of the game and played safely. This role wasn't very hard as all the player knew how to playfootball.
The next two lessons were the same then we had lunch. After lunch we went back to the hostel to plan for the rest of the week, so if we got asked to lead a session we could do so with little preparation as we already have lots of ideas written down such as; small football, basketball, rugby and athletic games. That we could lead.
After this I went for a nap which was beautiful and allowed me to catch up on some sleep before we went out for dinner.
Finally it is my birthday tomorrow and I can't wait to wake up at 7 AGAIN!
Ciao ciao love Toby xx
My first lesson was with Rossie where we had to time the pupils running a lap of the pitch then recored there time. I found this easy as they all understood what I was trying to say and followed my instructions.
My second lesson was with Pisterello where the pupils took part in football where they played half pitch 7-a-side game, my role in this session was to be a referee making sure that the players kept to the rules of the game and played safely. This role wasn't very hard as all the player knew how to playfootball.
The next two lessons were the same then we had lunch. After lunch we went back to the hostel to plan for the rest of the week, so if we got asked to lead a session we could do so with little preparation as we already have lots of ideas written down such as; small football, basketball, rugby and athletic games. That we could lead.
After this I went for a nap which was beautiful and allowed me to catch up on some sleep before we went out for dinner.
Finally it is my birthday tomorrow and I can't wait to wake up at 7 AGAIN!
Ciao ciao love Toby xx
Monday, 24 February 2014
Day 9 - Second Italian Inspired Day
Today was the second lesson on the Italian language. Everyone got involved in a full morning of lectures from one of the Italian teachers at the school, her name was Laura. Laura made the lesson fun and exciting by adding in a few activities which got us into the Italian spirit! Italian lessons were a good chance for us to learn specific words related to coaching which can help us in the delivering of coaching sessions as some of the students do not fully understand English. By learning sport specific Italian words it enables us to meet them half way with the language to try and give the students a better understanding of the drills and activities.
After having lunch at our usual time, we were given free time to have a look around local areas around the school, we had a kick about of football on one of the schools pitches, where we had time to relax before it was time to get involved with the after school clubs. This also gave us the chance to plan our after school lessons for when we started to coach. In our free time we also took a walk to the local supermarket where me, Laura and Hollie stocked up on snacks and drinks for the afternoon ahead.
After this we returned to the school to observe coaches In the after school activities, this gave us as coaches the chance to see their techniques, skills and drills used on primary school children. This helped to develop my understanding of coaching further as I watched and took notes.
Once the after school activities had finished, we all freshened up and went to our reservation at our favourite restaurant where we all enjoyed our margarita pizzas.
Ciao Dawn
After having lunch at our usual time, we were given free time to have a look around local areas around the school, we had a kick about of football on one of the schools pitches, where we had time to relax before it was time to get involved with the after school clubs. This also gave us the chance to plan our after school lessons for when we started to coach. In our free time we also took a walk to the local supermarket where me, Laura and Hollie stocked up on snacks and drinks for the afternoon ahead.
After this we returned to the school to observe coaches In the after school activities, this gave us as coaches the chance to see their techniques, skills and drills used on primary school children. This helped to develop my understanding of coaching further as I watched and took notes.
Once the after school activities had finished, we all freshened up and went to our reservation at our favourite restaurant where we all enjoyed our margarita pizzas.
Ciao Dawn
Day 8 - Como
In the morning we woke up and got the coach into Como, in which we met our tour guide and we did the first thing of the day which was a boat trip across Lake Como. We saw many famous peoples houses including; Winston Churchill, Clarence Seedorf, Versarce and many more. Also on the boat ride we learnt about the history of the lake and the houses. One of the most famous people we were told about was John Legend because he got married there at Como and also had a beautiful house on the Lake.
After this we had a tour of the village and the history behind it. The village was quite small and all the roads were parallel because it is a historical Roman City. The shops were all big brands such as Armani and Versace which shows that even though it is a historical village the people who live there are modernised and quite wealthy. In the village there was a silk shop which has been there for many centuries.
After the tour we were given free time till 4pm where we had lunch, went shopping and ate gelato in the sun. The gelato tasted really nice and had many different flavoures compared to ice cream in the UK. We got picked up at 4 to head back to Milan to have tea, for tea we went to mcdonalds just down the road from the hostel. This was my favourite day because we visited Lake Como which was really beautiful and very interesting.
After this we had a tour of the village and the history behind it. The village was quite small and all the roads were parallel because it is a historical Roman City. The shops were all big brands such as Armani and Versace which shows that even though it is a historical village the people who live there are modernised and quite wealthy. In the village there was a silk shop which has been there for many centuries.
After the tour we were given free time till 4pm where we had lunch, went shopping and ate gelato in the sun. The gelato tasted really nice and had many different flavoures compared to ice cream in the UK. We got picked up at 4 to head back to Milan to have tea, for tea we went to mcdonalds just down the road from the hostel. This was my favourite day because we visited Lake Como which was really beautiful and very interesting.
Saturday, 22 February 2014
Day 7 - Bergamo
Today we went to Bergamo and seen the differences between the new town and the old town. We seen the old town first which is at the top of Bergamo and had a tour around the historical buildings, looking at two church's and she told us about the stories behind all the paintings in the church. Told us the tradition behind the church bells at 10 o'clock that they ring 100 times everyday.
Showed us the Roman remains which is underneath the whole town. Had lunch in a tradition restaurant where they mainly served pizza and pasta.
Then took a cable car down to the new town which was more modern and had more modern day shops in and where we got free time to go and explore the place and see the differences between the old town which the old town was more traditional and had little shops there whereas the new town had more variety of shops and stalls.
We came back and had free time to relax and sort our rooms out and later on a night we all decided to have a take out in the hostel.
We had a really nice day seeing loads about Italian culture divisions in one single city! It showed us how different people can live! I can't wait to see Como tomorrow!
Ciao for now, Hollie
Showed us the Roman remains which is underneath the whole town. Had lunch in a tradition restaurant where they mainly served pizza and pasta.
Then took a cable car down to the new town which was more modern and had more modern day shops in and where we got free time to go and explore the place and see the differences between the old town which the old town was more traditional and had little shops there whereas the new town had more variety of shops and stalls.
We came back and had free time to relax and sort our rooms out and later on a night we all decided to have a take out in the hostel.
We had a really nice day seeing loads about Italian culture divisions in one single city! It showed us how different people can live! I can't wait to see Como tomorrow!
Ciao for now, Hollie
Thursday, 20 February 2014
Day 6 - Getting into the swing of things!
Alex Hill
Last night because of the football we were unable to go to
the restaurant so we got pizza’s from a takeaway and drinks from the
supermarket and took it all back to the hostel and ate our food and chilled in
the hostel until it was time to go to the San Siro for the match around quarter
past 7.
We went to the
football to watch AC Milan Vs Athletic Madrid in the Champions League, the
atmosphere was good with over 80 thousand people chanting for AC Milan to win
but Athletic won 0-1.
Today we went to the school we have been coaching in,
throughout the day we was participating in the activities, sometimes taking
part of the lessons such as the warm ups and interacting with the students trying
to understand Italian and them learning English from us. Tonight we had salad
and pizza for our starter for the main we had chicken curry and rice and for
desert we had profiteroles.
Wednesday, 19 February 2014
Day 4 - First day of coaching
Today was our first day getting into coaching with Rossi and Pistorello taking part in their lessons playing football and then we had the chance to get involved with helms in which we was interviewed by the students, with them asking us questions it helped both us and the Italians bond.
After we finished at the school we had a tour around the churches, one in which had fantastic art work in and I was able to light a candle for a donation to the church, when we was moving on the next church that had Leonardo Da Vinci's last supper but we couldn't see it as the tour guide wasn't sure if we had to book it or not, the last church we went to a church that was made and looked after by monks in which they had skulls heads and bones in the walls as decorations.
When we finished the tour we had some free time to do what we want around the Duomo in which me, Rory, Toby and Joe went to get a coffee and some cookie dough Gelato which was tidy.
After we made our way back to the restaurant we had our 10,000,000 course meal which left us all stuffed, towards the end of the night we made our way back to the hostel and relaxed before waking up for the next day.
By Ashley Davies
After we finished at the school we had a tour around the churches, one in which had fantastic art work in and I was able to light a candle for a donation to the church, when we was moving on the next church that had Leonardo Da Vinci's last supper but we couldn't see it as the tour guide wasn't sure if we had to book it or not, the last church we went to a church that was made and looked after by monks in which they had skulls heads and bones in the walls as decorations.
When we finished the tour we had some free time to do what we want around the Duomo in which me, Rory, Toby and Joe went to get a coffee and some cookie dough Gelato which was tidy.
After we made our way back to the restaurant we had our 10,000,000 course meal which left us all stuffed, towards the end of the night we made our way back to the hostel and relaxed before waking up for the next day.
By Ashley Davies
Day 5 - Starting to coach our sessions and San Siro!
Day 5
Today we began our real full day of coaching. The teachers in the school gave us the opportunity to start leading the group using our own session plans that we had prepared the night before.
The whole day today was based on football. We had a total number of 4 lessons with ages ranging from 14-19. This gave us the opportunity to get involved with people our own age and see how different PE lessons are in other European countries.
Leading in another country was a good experience for me and was also a challenge too. The students found it difficult to understand which required us to break things down and use simple language and demonstrations to ensure the students had a full knowledge.
After watching the teachers for the first 1-2 hours we were able to pick up the structure of the lessons and add our own games and warmups in the same similar structure. I am confident in leading and felt confident to be working along side Ashley and Toby and felt as a group we were strong leaders. Being put in front of an full Italian class was definitely a challenge for us all however I think that we were able to conduct ourselves well and deliver a strong session.
Tonight we are heading out to the San Siro stadium to watch AC Milan vs Athletico Madrid in the Champions League. We are all very excited for the game as for the majority it will be the first time them have seen a live game in such a big competition, as it is for me. This also will be an amazing sight and I feel a great atmosphere within the stadium and the group will be present this evening.
I look forward to the coming challenges the rest of the project will bring.
Joe Hadfield
Today we began our real full day of coaching. The teachers in the school gave us the opportunity to start leading the group using our own session plans that we had prepared the night before.
The whole day today was based on football. We had a total number of 4 lessons with ages ranging from 14-19. This gave us the opportunity to get involved with people our own age and see how different PE lessons are in other European countries.
Leading in another country was a good experience for me and was also a challenge too. The students found it difficult to understand which required us to break things down and use simple language and demonstrations to ensure the students had a full knowledge.
After watching the teachers for the first 1-2 hours we were able to pick up the structure of the lessons and add our own games and warmups in the same similar structure. I am confident in leading and felt confident to be working along side Ashley and Toby and felt as a group we were strong leaders. Being put in front of an full Italian class was definitely a challenge for us all however I think that we were able to conduct ourselves well and deliver a strong session.
Tonight we are heading out to the San Siro stadium to watch AC Milan vs Athletico Madrid in the Champions League. We are all very excited for the game as for the majority it will be the first time them have seen a live game in such a big competition, as it is for me. This also will be an amazing sight and I feel a great atmosphere within the stadium and the group will be present this evening.
I look forward to the coming challenges the rest of the project will bring.
Joe Hadfield
Monday, 17 February 2014
Day 3 - First day in Instituto Leone XIII
My room woke up at around 6:30 and started discussing what we think the day would be like, we thought it would have been very class room based and would be learning Italian and would be getting introduced to the teachers we would be working with. We were all getting excited to see what the school and facilities were going to be like and what groups we would be working in for the different lessons. We then started hoping that we would be together for some of the session so we could plan and deliver then together. We met down in the lounge at about 8 and set off to the school, everyone seems quite tired but I was wide awake really looking forward finding out in depth what I will be doing in these two weeks in Milan. When we were walking to the school I started to feel quite nervous, hoping that they would be very friendly towards us and understand that out Italian isn't very advanced. We were walking for about 5 minuets when the school got pointed out to us, it was massive! You could see some of the sports pitches and a massive building in the back ground. I started to get excited because the school looked very nice and seemed to be very sports based which is a massive plus.
We were greeted by the entrance and everyone was very welcoming which made the situation less awkward as we were just standing not knowing what to say or do. We then got taken to a room and Pablo introduced him self and started to talk briefly about the school and its history, which as it was founded before WW2 but then moved to its current establishment after wards. After this he took us on a tour of this huge school, showing us class rooms, sports and drama facilities which were all so modernised and lovely. The school had lots of culture and religion init as in the corridors there were huge paintings stung on the wall. After the tour we then went back to class room and was presented with lots of interesting and unusual facts about Milan, he talked about its history and culture and also the geography of the place which I was many interested by it as I enjoy geography so I really enjoyed the presentation. After the presentation we has time to look around the school and interact with some of the students at first it was very awkward and I felt nervous but the children started coming up to use and chatting so I started to feel more conformable. when we returned to the class room we started to get introduced to the Italian language, getting taught words and phrases which we would learn within out sporting lessons which I found very helpful as I don't pick up languages very well. We did language for a while and then went to lunch, at lunch we has some pasta and fruit and chatted about the morning with my mates as we were paired together for the majority of the sports sessions. We then walking around looking at the out door sports facilities which were amazing!
We then thanked Paulo and the other teachers that we met and headed back to the youth hostel. At the hostel we started to plan some warm up sessions that we may be delivering with the weeks that we are placed at the school, this was very fun as I enjoy planning session as I can take them away and use them in the session that I teach in Britain. I was then sitting in the lounge by myself doing some more sessions by my self when i started talking to a local about the area and the best places I should visit within Milan so I have decided that i need to see if I can look around the Cathedral in Milan because apparently it is beautiful inside and out and has an amazing view of the city.
After we had finished we then went get the metro back by the school and went into an Italian restaurant, here we got to try a variety of Italian dishes from pasta to lasagne, which was very interesting to see what foods are associated with Italy. Even though I didn't really enjoy the majority it was good to gain more knowledge of the Italian culture.
Over all I think this day has been very beneficial to my learnings as I have gained lots of knowledge about Italian and Milan culture and history and also about what I will be going during these two weeks. I am now really exited about the trip and cant wait to start coaching!
We were greeted by the entrance and everyone was very welcoming which made the situation less awkward as we were just standing not knowing what to say or do. We then got taken to a room and Pablo introduced him self and started to talk briefly about the school and its history, which as it was founded before WW2 but then moved to its current establishment after wards. After this he took us on a tour of this huge school, showing us class rooms, sports and drama facilities which were all so modernised and lovely. The school had lots of culture and religion init as in the corridors there were huge paintings stung on the wall. After the tour we then went back to class room and was presented with lots of interesting and unusual facts about Milan, he talked about its history and culture and also the geography of the place which I was many interested by it as I enjoy geography so I really enjoyed the presentation. After the presentation we has time to look around the school and interact with some of the students at first it was very awkward and I felt nervous but the children started coming up to use and chatting so I started to feel more conformable. when we returned to the class room we started to get introduced to the Italian language, getting taught words and phrases which we would learn within out sporting lessons which I found very helpful as I don't pick up languages very well. We did language for a while and then went to lunch, at lunch we has some pasta and fruit and chatted about the morning with my mates as we were paired together for the majority of the sports sessions. We then walking around looking at the out door sports facilities which were amazing!
We then thanked Paulo and the other teachers that we met and headed back to the youth hostel. At the hostel we started to plan some warm up sessions that we may be delivering with the weeks that we are placed at the school, this was very fun as I enjoy planning session as I can take them away and use them in the session that I teach in Britain. I was then sitting in the lounge by myself doing some more sessions by my self when i started talking to a local about the area and the best places I should visit within Milan so I have decided that i need to see if I can look around the Cathedral in Milan because apparently it is beautiful inside and out and has an amazing view of the city.
After we had finished we then went get the metro back by the school and went into an Italian restaurant, here we got to try a variety of Italian dishes from pasta to lasagne, which was very interesting to see what foods are associated with Italy. Even though I didn't really enjoy the majority it was good to gain more knowledge of the Italian culture.
Over all I think this day has been very beneficial to my learnings as I have gained lots of knowledge about Italian and Milan culture and history and also about what I will be going during these two weeks. I am now really exited about the trip and cant wait to start coaching!
Sunday, 16 February 2014
Day 2 - Visiting Milan and our amazing tour of the city centre
Day 2
We went down to get some breakfast way early but it was a waste of time because it was horrible, so i came up stairs and got some strawberrys that I got from the supermarket near the hostel yesterday.
We used the tube to get into Milan City centre, it looked just like the tubes in London, they smelled abut but it was cool. We went to the Costello sforzesco and it was one if the most beautiful places I have ever been in, and I got good picture for photography.
After the tour we went shopping and I got a purse for my sister and a few clothes for my brother, then we went to a place it get food and it was a house special of lasagna and it was really nice.
We went back to the restaurant we went to yesterday but I got a chicken and spinach dish with cheese sauce. It was so nice!!!!!! Then we came back and now we are about to go to bed ready for our first day of coaching. We are all really excited, and a little bit nervous!
We went down to get some breakfast way early but it was a waste of time because it was horrible, so i came up stairs and got some strawberrys that I got from the supermarket near the hostel yesterday.
We used the tube to get into Milan City centre, it looked just like the tubes in London, they smelled abut but it was cool. We went to the Costello sforzesco and it was one if the most beautiful places I have ever been in, and I got good picture for photography.
After the tour we went shopping and I got a purse for my sister and a few clothes for my brother, then we went to a place it get food and it was a house special of lasagna and it was really nice.
We went back to the restaurant we went to yesterday but I got a chicken and spinach dish with cheese sauce. It was so nice!!!!!! Then we came back and now we are about to go to bed ready for our first day of coaching. We are all really excited, and a little bit nervous!
Day 1 - Travelling to Milan
Woke up at half 6 got a shower and packed the rest of my suitcase. Loaded the car with my suitcase and started my journey to the airport. Got to Manchester Airport at 8:20 am and met everyone at Terminal 3. We checked in at about 9 and went through security (Tash didn't beep either). Once everything was weighed and checked we got a meal at boots! Loved it considering I didn't have breakfast!( tomato pasta, chicken, flapjack and sprite).
At 10:55 we boarded the plane at gate 49. The plane looked really small and unsafe! We had to walk down stairs to walk up some more onto the plane. Best thing was we got to sit next to a friend so I chose Tash. Not the best idea as she started talking about the plane crashing and bursting into flames. Then the plane started to the move slowly! Me and Tash ate a whole packet of mints to avoid bubbles in our ears. Once in the air we started playing hangman, pictionary and noughts and crosses to by time. Before we knew we had landed in Milan. When we finally collected our luggage we headed out of the airport and into the coach waiting for us.
Once we got to the hostel we booked in and carried our bags up four flights of stairs. Not good! Once everything was unpacked we headed downstairs, had a tour of the hostel and headed out for tea. Had mushroom risotto but should of got a pizza. We the. Headed back to the hostel and went to sleep.
At 10:55 we boarded the plane at gate 49. The plane looked really small and unsafe! We had to walk down stairs to walk up some more onto the plane. Best thing was we got to sit next to a friend so I chose Tash. Not the best idea as she started talking about the plane crashing and bursting into flames. Then the plane started to the move slowly! Me and Tash ate a whole packet of mints to avoid bubbles in our ears. Once in the air we started playing hangman, pictionary and noughts and crosses to by time. Before we knew we had landed in Milan. When we finally collected our luggage we headed out of the airport and into the coach waiting for us.
Once we got to the hostel we booked in and carried our bags up four flights of stairs. Not good! Once everything was unpacked we headed downstairs, had a tour of the hostel and headed out for tea. Had mushroom risotto but should of got a pizza. We the. Headed back to the hostel and went to sleep.
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