Majda Sumic, a 17-year-old Swedish girl, participated in a CLIL project in Valencia, Spain where she took lessons taught in English by foreign teachers and worked with teenagers from other countries. She found the experience quite beneficial, improving her English confidence and learning about other cultures, especially Spanish culture since she stayed with a Spanish family. Majda felt the CLIL approach was very valuable as it not only improved her English but also allowed her to get to know people from abroad and realize how much she had in common with them.
1. Interview with Majda Sumic a seventeen year old girl who has taken part in the CLIL project.
The Swedish girls at the Valencia stadium. From the left: Majda, Julia, Emily, Amanda, Maria
Did you take part in any CLIL aktivities abroad?
Yes, I got the opportunity to go to Valencia in Spain.
What do you think about lessons being run in English instead of Swedish?
It was just fine. I understood everything and there were no problems.
What are your impressions of working together with
teenagers from other countries and being taught by foreign teachers in Spain?
It was quite an experience and I learnt a lot about their opinions and their
ways of looking at things. It is really nice to get to know people from abroad my own
age.
Do you think that your English has improved by taking part in this CLIL program?
Definitely! I feel much more confident using English now.
Have you learnt more about other countries and their culture?
Absolutely; especially the Spanish culture as I stayed with a Spanish family
I am very grateful that I got this opportunity.
Have you benefitted from the CLIL way of working?
No doubt! First and foremost I have improved my English, but not only that;
you also get to know people from abroad and you learn a lot from them and you realize
that we have more things in common than we usually think.