This Saturday we headed to Dublin to take the long-awaited level test. You could feel the excitement and nerves in the air as soon as we got on the bus. The students were talking among themselves about what the test would be like and what to expect, as it was an important step to assess what they had learned during the past two months of Saturday classes.
The journey to the city went by quickly, but many of the students were filled with questions about the test. However, when we arrived in Dublin, the tension eased a little as we quickly organized ourselves to start the exams. We split into two groups: some would begin with the oral exam, while others would start with the written exam.
The first group began with the oral exam. The students were waiting for their turn with nerves and anticipation. An examiner called the children two by two to keep the atmosphere more relaxed and familiar during the test. Each pair of students was asked to have a conversation in English about everything they had worked on in Saturday classes: conversation topics, vocabulary, and grammar structures. They were asked to talk about their experiences, interests, and anything related to what they had learned in class. It was a good opportunity for the students to show their ability to communicate in English more fluently.
Meanwhile, the other group worked on the written exam. This involved writing two essays. The first essay was about the book they had read during the course. The students had to summarize and express their opinions about the book, showing their understanding and ability to write coherently. The second essay was about a letter or another piece of writing they had worked on in class. This exercise allowed them to demonstrate their ability to write structured and coherent texts, as well as use the vocabulary and expressions they had learned in class. It was a test that allowed them to put into practice everything they had learned in a more technical and thoughtful way.
In the middle of the morning, we decided to take a short break for lunch. The break was much appreciated, as everyone needed to relax a little before continuing with the next part of the exams. During this time, the students talked about how their respective tests had gone. Some were calmer, while others shared their nerves about the exam they still had to take.
After the break, we switched the exam shifts. Those who had taken the oral exam moved on to the written exam, and vice versa. This change allowed everyone to experience both parts of the test and put their skills to the test in a balanced way.
Once everyone had finished their exams, we made our way to the center of Dublin by tram. Just before we got on the tram, something quite funny happened. At the tram stop, we ran into Miquel’s second cousin. To everyone’s surprise, she wasn’t visiting the city as a tourist; she was also there on an exchange program, just like us. It was an amazing coincidence, and everyone was shocked to see her in that exact spot.
Once in the city center, we took the opportunity to do some sightseeing and buy gifts for our families and friends. We visited several souvenir shops, where the students picked out magnets, keychains, t-shirts, plush toys, and other typical items from the city. Everyone wanted to bring something special for their loved ones, and you could feel the excitement of thinking about how the gifts would be received. We also had some time to walk around the streets of Dublin and enjoy the lively atmosphere of the city, with its typical bustling vibe and beautiful architecture.
After visiting several shops, it was time to head back. We took the bus again, and after a day full of activities, we arrived in Carrigallen around 7:00 PM. The students’ families were there to pick them up, and they greeted us with great joy. It had been a long day, but full of experiences and lessons for everyone. The students were tired but very happy for having completed the test and for everything they had experienced during the day. The trip to Dublin was a great way to wrap up these two months of hard work, and the students felt really proud of what they had achieved.
This day wasn’t just important because of the test, but also for the experiences shared, the stories that came up, and the chance to put what we had learned into practice in such a real way. It was a tiring day, but one that everyone will remember.
