Social sciences teacher Glenn Cheyne is linguistically challenged around the climbing number of Spanish-speaking migrant students at Nayland College.
That could all change in July next year when he jets to Colombia’s second-largest city, Medellín, for a 12-week Spanish language programme kudos to a Prime Minister’s Scholarship.
Glenn, who also teaches English as a Second Language (ESOL), was one of 119 recipients from across Aotearoa to get a scholarship from a 324-application pool.
The scholarships, administered by Education New Zealand, cover flights, a living allowance and tuition fees, and impart opportunities for New Zealanders to fine-tune their understanding of cultures and business practices across Asia and Latin America.
Glenn is a globetrotter and has yearned for a Colombia and South America fiesta.
He says the scholarship is now in his hand to fulfil it, and to do it in tandem with brushing up his Spanish was muy bueno (very good).
“I studied Spanish at university, but I’ve forgotten a lot of it… the students smile and are quite happy that I try, but it’s probably incorrect, so I’m really looking forward to improving my Spanish language and knowledge of Colombian culture,” he says.
“Colombia is quite similar to New Zealand in a lot of ways, it’s mountainous with the Andes and it has beaches, forests and national parks as well, with a very vibrant Latino culture.”
Glenn says his language course will take place at a Medellín university where he will also study Spanish humanities and offer English tutoring and mentoring.
He also plans to attend a rural school outside Medellín, where he will participate in village work and environmental programmes.
“I’m going there to learn to contribute to Colombia, and then bring that knowledge back [to Nayland] and hopefully it will help with authentic learning for our students about South America,” he says.
“Thank you to the good people at Education New Zealand for giving me the scholarship, and thanks to Nayland College for giving me the opportunity to go and study.”
For a full list of recipients visit scholarships.enz.govt.nz
