1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:14,000 Good morning everyone. Thank you so much for being here. It's a pleasure for us to make 2 00:00:14,000 --> 00:00:22,000 this presentation, or just the other way around, to close these days in which you have been 3 00:00:22,000 --> 00:00:28,000 presenting, you have been working on how we will be this year here in Madrid. So, let 4 00:00:28,000 --> 00:00:35,000 me say first that we are very thankful for you for being here, and that we hope that 5 00:00:35,000 --> 00:00:43,000 everything is going to work well, and we think, we are sure that your work here in the Spanish 6 00:00:43,000 --> 00:00:49,000 in Madrid education system will be very helpful and useful for us, and of all for the students, 7 00:00:49,000 --> 00:00:56,000 for our students. So, thank you so much for your effort, and your work, and all your intentions. 8 00:00:56,000 --> 00:00:59,000 Let me change now to Spanish. 9 00:01:19,000 --> 00:01:45,000 Spanish 10 00:01:45,000 --> 00:01:55,000 Can I speak English? As the Director General just said, my name is Gretchen Dobrod. I am the 11 00:01:55,000 --> 00:02:01,000 Director here of the In-Service Training School for Teachers. I'm in charge of this beautiful 12 00:02:01,000 --> 00:02:07,000 building. I hope you've had a chance to look around. This is a center for training and 13 00:02:07,000 --> 00:02:14,000 innovation, and we cater to all of the teachers in the community of Madrid. So, hopefully 14 00:02:14,000 --> 00:02:20,000 at some point we'll see you here again. I just want to say welcome. We're very happy 15 00:02:20,000 --> 00:02:27,000 that you're here. We're happy that you've chosen to do this inaugural event here. This 16 00:02:27,000 --> 00:02:33,000 is actually the closing event, right? With us here in Las Agapias. And I just wanted 17 00:02:33,000 --> 00:02:40,000 to say briefly that although I'm quite a bit older than all of you, I know exactly what 18 00:02:40,000 --> 00:02:44,000 I'm going through right now because I did the same thing a few years ago when I was 19 00:02:44,000 --> 00:02:51,000 19. And I know exactly how exciting this year is going to be for you, and I just wanted 20 00:02:51,000 --> 00:02:58,000 to encourage you to, of course, work and be responsible, but to have an amazing time in 21 00:02:58,000 --> 00:03:06,000 Madrid. This will be, for many of you, a turning point in your professional and personal careers 22 00:03:06,000 --> 00:03:13,000 and lives, and for some of you, just an important developmental phase. Make the best of it, 23 00:03:13,000 --> 00:03:20,000 enjoy yourselves, and have a great year. Okay? Thank you, and I'm here if you need me for 24 00:03:20,000 --> 00:03:22,000 anything as well. Thanks a lot. 25 00:03:36,000 --> 00:03:49,000 Buenos días a todos. En primer lugar, en nombre del Ministerio de Educación, Cultura 26 00:03:49,000 --> 00:03:53,000 y Deporte, y del mío propio, permitidme dar las gracias a la Comunidad de Madrid por 27 00:03:53,000 --> 00:03:59,000 invitarnos a participar para dar la bienvenida, una calurosa bienvenida, a todos los auxiliares 28 00:03:59,000 --> 00:04:04,000 de conversación extranjeros que hoy aquí inician su participación en el programa 29 00:04:04,000 --> 00:04:09,000 de auxiliares en centros educativos españoles. Es una experiencia que estamos seguros que 30 00:04:09,000 --> 00:04:16,000 va a ser apasionante para todos vosotros. Hace casi 80 años que el programa empezó. 31 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:24,000 Los primeros auxiliares de conversación llegaron a España en 1936, eran auxiliares británicos. 32 00:04:24,000 --> 00:04:30,000 En el año 2000 teníamos 250 participantes. Esto ha ido creciendo de tal manera que hoy 33 00:04:30,000 --> 00:04:37,000 llegamos a una cifra cercana a los 4.300 provenientes de 17 países. En este proceso 34 00:04:37,000 --> 00:04:41,000 es importante destacar la colaboración de las comunidades autónomas, que han pasado 35 00:04:41,000 --> 00:04:46,000 a ser fundamentales en el programa. Hay que destacar el compromiso de la Comunidad de 36 00:04:46,000 --> 00:04:51,000 Madrid en especial, que financia 1.400 auxiliares de conversación a través del programa de 37 00:04:51,000 --> 00:04:58,000 colaboración con el Ministerio de Educación. Todas las administraciones y todos los organismos 38 00:04:58,000 --> 00:05:03,000 que hemos trabajado para que os incorporéis a vuestros centros de la manera más cómoda 39 00:05:03,000 --> 00:05:08,000 posible y para que realicéis vuestro periodo de adaptación, estamos muy contentos y queremos 40 00:05:08,000 --> 00:05:14,000 que saquéis todo el provecho posible de esta experiencia, tanto personal como profesionalmente. 41 00:05:14,000 --> 00:05:20,000 Sois una parte muy importante de un programa internacional de mucha variedad. Como auxiliares 42 00:05:20,000 --> 00:05:25,000 de conversación vais a trabajar en escuelas de primaria y de secundaria y vuestro objetivo 43 00:05:25,000 --> 00:05:31,000 será mejorar las destrezas comunicativas de nuestros alumnos españoles. Es importante 44 00:05:31,000 --> 00:05:36,000 que sepáis que vais a trabajar en centros donde se va a emplear vuestro idioma no sólo 45 00:05:36,000 --> 00:05:41,000 como lengua mental, sino como vehículo para enseñar asignaturas como historia, matemáticas 46 00:05:41,000 --> 00:05:47,000 o ciencias. Y además participaréis en la introducción de vuestra cultura. Por tanto, 47 00:05:47,000 --> 00:05:51,000 vuestro papel en el centro escolar es muy importante. Vais a ser modelos culturales 48 00:05:51,000 --> 00:05:57,000 de vuestra lengua. Contamos con vuestro entusiasmo y buen hacer para apoyar a todos los alumnos 49 00:05:57,000 --> 00:06:02,000 y al profesorado de los centros docentes de Madrid. Enhorabuena por haber llegado hasta aquí 50 00:06:02,000 --> 00:06:07,000 y en nombre del programa del Ministerio os deseo lo mejor. Gracias. 51 00:06:07,000 --> 00:06:36,000 Buenos días. Bienvenidos a España. Primeramente quisiera agradecer a todas las autoridades 52 00:06:36,000 --> 00:06:45,000 del Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte y la Comunidad de Madrid que amablemente nos 53 00:06:45,000 --> 00:06:55,000 han invitado a participar en este acto para dar la bienvenida a los auxiliares de conversación. 54 00:06:55,000 --> 00:07:00,000 On behalf of the Australian Embassy I would like to extend a warm welcome to all of the 55 00:07:00,000 --> 00:07:07,000 language assistants and say a big good day to the Aussies. I'm sure you will enjoy your 56 00:07:07,000 --> 00:07:12,000 time here in Spain and your interaction with your students will no doubt make a significant 57 00:07:12,000 --> 00:07:18,000 impact. The bilateral relationship between Australia and Spain is continuing to grow 58 00:07:18,000 --> 00:07:24,000 with strong business links developing between our two countries and even greater people 59 00:07:24,000 --> 00:07:29,000 to people links. As you know, Australia is a long way from Spain, probably further than 60 00:07:29,000 --> 00:07:34,000 any other country represented here today. But it is also one of the most multicultural 61 00:07:34,000 --> 00:07:39,000 countries in the world and so our language assistants naturally bring skills with them 62 00:07:39,000 --> 00:07:46,000 that perhaps they even didn't know they have. Communicating with people who are learning 63 00:07:46,000 --> 00:07:52,000 English comes naturally to Australians and is part of our daily lives. So don't worry, 64 00:07:52,000 --> 00:07:57,000 you're going to do a great job. Spaniards are naturally inquisitive about Australia 65 00:07:57,000 --> 00:08:03,000 and you have a wealth of material to draw on. A great place to start may be the Australia 66 00:08:03,000 --> 00:08:08,000 in Brief publication which is available on the web and I have some copies in English 67 00:08:08,000 --> 00:08:14,000 and Spanish if anyone wants one after this. Make sure you also take advantage of living 68 00:08:14,000 --> 00:08:19,000 in this amazing country and travel within and outside of Madrid to make the most of 69 00:08:19,000 --> 00:08:29,000 your experience. But please, no running with the books. In any event, if you haven't already, 70 00:08:29,000 --> 00:08:35,000 please register on smarttraveller.gov.au so we have you registered as living in Spain. 71 00:08:35,000 --> 00:08:40,000 The Australian Government greatly welcomes the chance for young Australians to strengthen 72 00:08:40,000 --> 00:08:45,000 their relationship with Spain and the Spanish language. No doubt, you will all be great 73 00:08:45,000 --> 00:08:50,000 cultural ambassadors and will perform excellently. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with 74 00:08:50,000 --> 00:08:55,000 us in the Embassy should you find yourselves in need of emergency assistance or even if 75 00:08:55,000 --> 00:09:02,000 you need to know where the footy grand finals will be shown this weekend. The best way to 76 00:09:02,000 --> 00:09:08,000 stay up to date is by following our Facebook or Twitter pages, Australia in Spain, or visiting 77 00:09:08,000 --> 00:09:13,000 the Embassy website. I wish you the best of luck during your time in Spain. It will be 78 00:09:13,000 --> 00:09:18,000 an experience you won't forget and will hopefully leave a positive impression of Australia on 79 00:09:18,000 --> 00:09:20,000 your street. Thank you. 80 00:09:28,000 --> 00:09:34,000 Thank you so much, Celia and Taki. Next we will have to Lucia La Silva from the French 81 00:09:34,000 --> 00:09:36,000 Embassy. Thank you so much. 82 00:09:36,000 --> 00:09:38,000 Thank you so much. 83 00:10:06,000 --> 00:10:09,000 Thank you so much. 84 00:10:36,000 --> 00:10:39,000 Thank you so much. 85 00:11:06,000 --> 00:11:09,000 Thank you so much. 86 00:11:36,000 --> 00:11:39,000 Thank you so much. 87 00:12:06,000 --> 00:12:09,000 Thank you so much. 88 00:12:36,000 --> 00:12:38,000 Thank you so much. 89 00:13:06,000 --> 00:13:09,000 Thank you so much. 90 00:13:36,000 --> 00:13:39,000 Thank you so much. 91 00:14:06,000 --> 00:14:09,000 Thank you so much. 92 00:14:36,000 --> 00:14:39,000 Thank you so much. 93 00:15:06,000 --> 00:15:09,000 Thank you so much. 94 00:15:37,000 --> 00:15:41,000 Thank you so much. 95 00:15:57,000 --> 00:16:00,000 Thank you so much. 96 00:16:07,000 --> 00:16:10,000 Hello, good afternoon, good evening. 97 00:16:10,000 --> 00:16:16,000 First of all, I would like to thank the Ministry of Education and the community of Madrid 98 00:16:16,000 --> 00:16:21,000 for inviting us to this event, but above all for this incredible program 99 00:16:21,000 --> 00:16:25,000 and for having invited Canada and Canadians to participate. 100 00:16:26,000 --> 00:16:30,000 So, I will continue in English and French. 101 00:16:30,000 --> 00:16:33,000 Where are the Canadians? 102 00:16:33,000 --> 00:16:39,000 Okay, not that many. What happened? Where is everyone? 103 00:16:39,000 --> 00:16:43,000 Already having fun, anyway. 104 00:16:43,000 --> 00:16:48,000 No, I mean, I don't really have too much more to add. 105 00:16:48,000 --> 00:16:53,000 My Australian and French colleagues have already basically said just about everything. 106 00:16:53,000 --> 00:17:00,000 You are here to work, to have what could be a life-changing experience 107 00:17:00,000 --> 00:17:03,000 and I'm sure you'll have a good time, you'll do a good job. 108 00:17:03,000 --> 00:17:09,000 You're in an amazing country, so I encourage you to enjoy it, discover it. 109 00:17:09,000 --> 00:17:12,000 Don't do anything too crazy. 110 00:17:12,000 --> 00:17:16,000 Someone mentioned bulls earlier. I would take that advice. 111 00:17:16,000 --> 00:17:20,000 And also, don't forget, we're here at the embassy to help you. 112 00:17:20,000 --> 00:17:24,000 And I hope that you have already registered online. 113 00:17:24,000 --> 00:17:27,000 I know the Australians have their system. Most countries have a system. 114 00:17:27,000 --> 00:17:34,000 Ours is, you can find it by going to travel.gc.ca, voyage.gc.ca. 115 00:17:34,000 --> 00:17:37,000 And one of the most important roles you'll have here, 116 00:17:37,000 --> 00:17:41,000 which has been mentioned before by my colleagues, is that you'll be ambassadors. 117 00:17:41,000 --> 00:17:43,000 You're ambassadors to Canada here. 118 00:17:43,000 --> 00:17:46,000 People, Spaniards, are very curious. They want to learn about Canada. 119 00:17:46,000 --> 00:17:49,000 And you have an excellent opportunity just to talk about your lives 120 00:17:49,000 --> 00:17:52,000 and how things are working in Canada. 121 00:17:52,000 --> 00:17:54,000 And what a great place we have. 122 00:17:54,000 --> 00:17:57,000 How lucky we are to be Canadians, without bragging too much. 123 00:17:57,000 --> 00:18:00,000 And to encourage young Spaniards to go to Canada, 124 00:18:00,000 --> 00:18:02,000 whether it's just to visit or to study, 125 00:18:02,000 --> 00:18:05,000 because one of the things that we as an embassy like to do, 126 00:18:05,000 --> 00:18:08,000 we like to encourage exchanges, 127 00:18:08,000 --> 00:18:15,000 both Canadians coming from Canada to Spain and Spaniards going to Canada. 128 00:18:15,000 --> 00:18:17,000 And all that to say is that when you go back to Canada 129 00:18:17,000 --> 00:18:21,000 or when you talk to your friends on the phone or by email, on Facebook, 130 00:18:22,000 --> 00:18:24,000 what it may be, talk up Spain. 131 00:18:24,000 --> 00:18:26,000 Let them know how wonderful Spain is 132 00:18:26,000 --> 00:18:29,000 and get them to come to Spain and enjoy Spain, 133 00:18:29,000 --> 00:18:31,000 because that's one of the best ways. 134 00:18:31,000 --> 00:18:34,000 I mean, us as diplomats, we try our best to strengthen the bilateral relationship 135 00:18:34,000 --> 00:18:36,000 and we all do a great job. 136 00:18:36,000 --> 00:18:37,000 Colleagues? Yeah? 137 00:18:37,000 --> 00:18:43,000 But you also do extremely wonderful jobs in promoting your own countries 138 00:18:43,000 --> 00:18:48,000 and in promoting your host country, Spain, back at home. 139 00:18:49,000 --> 00:18:53,000 So one program I'd just like to speak to you about very quickly. 140 00:18:53,000 --> 00:18:55,000 If you come here after a year, you've had a wonderful time, 141 00:18:55,000 --> 00:18:59,000 or two years, a wonderful time, and you still want to stay, 142 00:18:59,000 --> 00:19:03,000 we have a youth mobility program that can let you stay for an additional year. 143 00:19:03,000 --> 00:19:06,000 It's called International Experience Canada. 144 00:19:08,000 --> 00:19:11,000 And we would encourage you to take advantage of it 145 00:19:11,000 --> 00:19:15,000 and also to let your friends back in Canada and your family 146 00:19:15,000 --> 00:19:18,000 that if you're between 18 and 35 years old, 147 00:19:18,000 --> 00:19:20,000 Canadian citizen with a bit of adventure, 148 00:19:20,000 --> 00:19:24,000 who wants to explore and discover an incredible country, 149 00:19:24,000 --> 00:19:28,000 come to Spain and we can give you more information on that program 150 00:19:28,000 --> 00:19:30,000 if you're interested. 151 00:19:30,000 --> 00:19:32,000 Lots of events at the embassy as well, lots going on, 152 00:19:32,000 --> 00:19:35,000 so please follow us on Facebook and on Twitter, 153 00:19:35,000 --> 00:19:38,000 Canada in Spain, it's used to search and find. 154 00:19:38,000 --> 00:19:41,000 And I really hope you have an excellent time. 155 00:19:41,000 --> 00:19:42,000 So thank you again. 156 00:19:42,000 --> 00:19:43,000 Merci encore. 157 00:19:43,000 --> 00:19:44,000 Muchas gracias. 158 00:19:44,000 --> 00:19:45,000 De nuevo. 159 00:19:45,000 --> 00:19:46,000 Bonne chance. 160 00:19:46,000 --> 00:19:47,000 All the best. 161 00:19:47,000 --> 00:19:48,000 And see you soon. 162 00:19:48,000 --> 00:19:49,000 Thank you. 163 00:19:56,000 --> 00:19:57,000 Thank you so much. 164 00:19:57,000 --> 00:20:01,000 There are many other people following this conference 165 00:20:01,000 --> 00:20:04,000 or this closing event by streaming, 166 00:20:04,000 --> 00:20:06,000 so there might be more Canadians there. 167 00:20:08,000 --> 00:20:11,000 You will be able to meet them just later on. 168 00:20:11,000 --> 00:20:15,000 They are here in this same building. 169 00:20:15,000 --> 00:20:20,000 So let us go next to the United Kingdom Embassy. 170 00:20:20,000 --> 00:20:24,000 So we have here Cathy Levy and Sara Mustafani. 171 00:20:24,000 --> 00:20:25,000 Thank you. 172 00:20:30,000 --> 00:20:32,000 Buenos dias a todos. 173 00:20:32,000 --> 00:20:34,000 Good afternoon, good morning to everybody. 174 00:20:35,000 --> 00:20:39,000 Primero agradecer la invitación y la posibilidad de participar aquí 175 00:20:39,000 --> 00:20:42,000 y de tener la oportunidad de hablar con nuestros considerados. 176 00:20:42,000 --> 00:20:45,000 Muchísimas gracias y por organizar este programa. 177 00:20:45,000 --> 00:20:47,000 So I'm going to speak in English. 178 00:20:47,000 --> 00:20:49,000 I've spoken to a lot of your ID today. 179 00:20:49,000 --> 00:20:52,000 I know most of the Brits recognize some of your faces 180 00:20:52,000 --> 00:20:54,000 because I had a chance to speak to you earlier. 181 00:20:55,000 --> 00:20:58,000 I was a language assistant myself 10 years ago. 182 00:20:58,000 --> 00:21:00,000 Time is going on. 183 00:21:00,000 --> 00:21:02,000 It makes me feel old when I think about it. 184 00:21:02,000 --> 00:21:06,000 But anyway, 10 years ago I had the opportunity as part of my language degree. 185 00:21:06,000 --> 00:21:09,000 I studied German and Spanish to spend a year abroad, 186 00:21:09,000 --> 00:21:11,000 but I did mine in Germany. 187 00:21:11,000 --> 00:21:14,000 And I can honestly say it was one of the best years of my life. 188 00:21:14,000 --> 00:21:16,000 I had a great time. 189 00:21:16,000 --> 00:21:19,000 I got a chance to meet people from loads of different nationalities. 190 00:21:19,000 --> 00:21:22,000 I got a chance to be confident in my language skills. 191 00:21:22,000 --> 00:21:24,000 Don't ask me to speak German now. 192 00:21:25,000 --> 00:21:29,000 And I think that was one of the things that made me then end up actually living 193 00:21:29,000 --> 00:21:32,000 in a different country that isn't the UK. 194 00:21:32,000 --> 00:21:34,000 So it's a real opportunity for you. 195 00:21:34,000 --> 00:21:38,000 This is a chance for you to see what it's like living in a different country. 196 00:21:38,000 --> 00:21:40,000 A chance to mix with other cultures. 197 00:21:40,000 --> 00:21:43,000 A chance to not just Spanish, not just British, 198 00:21:43,000 --> 00:21:47,000 but you'll come across people of all sorts of nationalities living in Madrid. 199 00:21:47,000 --> 00:21:50,000 So take hold of this opportunity and make the most of it, 200 00:21:50,000 --> 00:21:52,000 is what I would really say. 201 00:21:52,000 --> 00:21:56,000 One thing that studying languages and learning in other languages 202 00:21:56,000 --> 00:21:59,000 gives you opportunities, opens doors, 203 00:21:59,000 --> 00:22:03,000 that really if you just only speak English you won't get. 204 00:22:03,000 --> 00:22:06,000 And I think that's also what you can teach your students here. 205 00:22:06,000 --> 00:22:09,000 By learning English, by learning French, German, 206 00:22:09,000 --> 00:22:12,000 whatever they choose to learn, they're opening doors for their future. 207 00:22:12,000 --> 00:22:16,000 And you, by coming here, to share your knowledge of English, 208 00:22:16,000 --> 00:22:18,000 but also to improve your knowledge of Spanish, 209 00:22:18,000 --> 00:22:23,000 you're opening doors for your future that you may not have thought about beforehand. 210 00:22:23,000 --> 00:22:28,000 You may end up living in Spain, elsewhere in Europe, in South America, 211 00:22:28,000 --> 00:22:30,000 you just don't know what's going to happen. 212 00:22:30,000 --> 00:22:33,000 But by gaining those language skills, you're giving yourself that opportunity. 213 00:22:33,000 --> 00:22:37,000 So do make the most of it, as well as teaching to learn, 214 00:22:37,000 --> 00:22:41,000 to make Spanish friends, to talk about things you have in common, 215 00:22:41,000 --> 00:22:44,000 go to the cinema, go out, have a good time. 216 00:22:44,000 --> 00:22:49,000 Spain is obviously one of the countries that Brits love the most. 217 00:22:50,000 --> 00:22:53,000 I work in the consulate in Alicante, and we're very, very busy 218 00:22:53,000 --> 00:22:56,000 because there's so many British people around. 219 00:22:56,000 --> 00:23:02,000 Brits love Spain, so by you coming here and learning that language skills 220 00:23:02,000 --> 00:23:06,000 and helping the Spanish people to get better English skills, 221 00:23:06,000 --> 00:23:08,000 you're also helping to build that relationship, 222 00:23:08,000 --> 00:23:11,000 which I think is really strong between the UK and Spain. 223 00:23:11,000 --> 00:23:16,000 And you're giving Spanish people a different example of British people. 224 00:23:16,000 --> 00:23:20,000 I think often people think that we don't learn Spanish, that we don't try. 225 00:23:20,000 --> 00:23:22,000 Well, that's not the case. 226 00:23:22,000 --> 00:23:25,000 You're here, you're here to learn as well as to teach. 227 00:23:25,000 --> 00:23:29,000 So it's a real opportunity to show that actually we are serious 228 00:23:29,000 --> 00:23:32,000 and we are keen about learning languages. 229 00:23:32,000 --> 00:23:35,000 And just one last point, which obviously I raised earlier, 230 00:23:35,000 --> 00:23:39,000 do stay safe, keep your wits about you. 231 00:23:39,000 --> 00:23:42,000 As all my colleagues have said, please don't run with the bulls. 232 00:23:42,000 --> 00:23:46,000 I said it earlier, but also the other things, just be aware, 233 00:23:46,000 --> 00:23:51,000 just keep your head screwed on and just try and stay safe at all times. 234 00:23:51,000 --> 00:23:54,000 Unlike the other embassies, we don't have a registration system. 235 00:23:54,000 --> 00:23:57,000 I didn't mention it earlier, but you don't have to register with us. 236 00:23:57,000 --> 00:24:00,000 If something goes wrong, then you can come to us, 237 00:24:00,000 --> 00:24:02,000 but there is no need to register. 238 00:24:02,000 --> 00:24:05,000 We just hope that you have a really great year, make the most of it, 239 00:24:05,000 --> 00:24:10,000 and take every opportunity that you can to learn and to share experiences. 240 00:24:10,000 --> 00:24:11,000 Thank you. 241 00:24:12,000 --> 00:24:13,000 Thank you. 242 00:24:13,000 --> 00:24:14,000 Thank you. 243 00:24:14,000 --> 00:24:15,000 Thank you. 244 00:24:15,000 --> 00:24:16,000 Thank you. 245 00:24:16,000 --> 00:24:17,000 Thank you. 246 00:24:17,000 --> 00:24:19,000 Thank you. 247 00:24:19,000 --> 00:24:20,000 Thank you. 248 00:24:20,000 --> 00:24:21,000 Thank you. 249 00:24:22,000 --> 00:24:23,000 Thank you so much. 250 00:24:23,000 --> 00:24:25,000 Up now to Emilia Fumato of the U.S. Embassy. 251 00:24:32,000 --> 00:24:35,000 Bienvenidos, bienvenue, welcome. 252 00:24:35,000 --> 00:24:40,000 Yo agradezco a el vice-consejero, director, y directora por la invitacion. 253 00:24:40,000 --> 00:24:43,000 I'm going to move into English. 254 00:24:43,000 --> 00:24:47,000 First of all, congratulations to all of you for being selected for this program. 255 00:24:47,000 --> 00:24:54,000 I have to say that in 24 years in the Foreign Service, I have never, in any of the many 256 00:24:54,000 --> 00:25:02,000 countries where I have served, seen the level of support and resources given to bilingual 257 00:25:02,000 --> 00:25:07,000 education that both the Ministry and the Comunidades here in Spain give. 258 00:25:07,000 --> 00:25:09,000 It is really laudable. 259 00:25:09,000 --> 00:25:15,000 I commend you for it, and I thank you for this opportunity, not only for your own students, 260 00:25:15,000 --> 00:25:19,000 but the opportunity that it gives to so many American students to come here. 261 00:25:19,000 --> 00:25:24,000 I believe, obviously, as a diplomat, that talking to people, that getting to know people, 262 00:25:24,000 --> 00:25:29,000 is something that is fundamentally essential in this world that is increasingly small and 263 00:25:29,000 --> 00:25:30,000 global. 264 00:25:30,000 --> 00:25:35,000 And as you'll see from all of our colleagues here, this seems to be really a community 265 00:25:35,000 --> 00:25:37,000 of democracies. 266 00:25:37,000 --> 00:25:43,000 These are our strongest and closest allies who participate with Spain in this organization. 267 00:25:43,000 --> 00:25:48,000 And so I think that this is an opportunity not just to teach languages, but for you to 268 00:25:48,000 --> 00:25:56,000 share with them the vibrancy of your own democracies, the multiculturality of your own societies. 269 00:25:56,000 --> 00:26:02,000 And so it's an important teaching method, not just for you, but for the students here, 270 00:26:02,000 --> 00:26:07,000 to see that there are people across the world who share their values, who share their ideals, 271 00:26:07,000 --> 00:26:10,000 and who work together to improve the world that we're living in. 272 00:26:10,000 --> 00:26:16,000 So it is a responsibility, as many have said, that makes you ambassadors to your country. 273 00:26:16,000 --> 00:26:21,000 For those of you who are coming here from the United States, website, Twitter, resources, 274 00:26:21,000 --> 00:26:23,000 and also speakers. 275 00:26:23,000 --> 00:26:24,000 There are embassy officers. 276 00:26:24,000 --> 00:26:26,000 We've got quite a large embassy. 277 00:26:26,000 --> 00:26:28,000 There's the 800-pound gorilla anywhere we go. 278 00:26:28,000 --> 00:26:30,000 So we've got quite a large embassy. 279 00:26:30,000 --> 00:26:37,000 And there are lots of really interesting young people with many, many different fields of interest 280 00:26:37,000 --> 00:26:39,000 and capacity to talk on those. 281 00:26:39,000 --> 00:26:43,000 So if you need somebody to talk to your class about baseball, or talk to your class about 282 00:26:43,000 --> 00:26:48,000 the upcoming elections in the U.S., or talk to your class about what it's like to be from Minnesota, 283 00:26:48,000 --> 00:26:52,000 ask us, and we can probably find somebody to talk to you about that. 284 00:26:52,000 --> 00:26:56,000 If you take nothing else from this, I would say absolutely remember not to run with the bulls. 285 00:26:57,000 --> 00:26:58,000 No, I'm serious. 286 00:26:58,000 --> 00:26:59,000 Am I right? 287 00:26:59,000 --> 00:27:02,000 Every year, there are like some, wow, I didn't know that. 288 00:27:02,000 --> 00:27:03,000 That sounds great. 289 00:27:03,000 --> 00:27:05,000 And then you wind up in the hospital. 290 00:27:05,000 --> 00:27:08,000 Go on YouTube and see some of the videos. 291 00:27:08,000 --> 00:27:12,000 If I can't convince you, look at the videos of people being gored by bulls. 292 00:27:12,000 --> 00:27:13,000 It's not pretty. 293 00:27:13,000 --> 00:27:16,000 And then it makes a whole lot of work for our consular section. 294 00:27:16,000 --> 00:27:17,000 So don't. 295 00:27:17,000 --> 00:27:20,000 Don't do it. 296 00:27:20,000 --> 00:27:22,000 Spain is just wonderful. 297 00:27:22,000 --> 00:27:25,000 As Gretchen said, the time is going to go so quickly. 298 00:27:26,000 --> 00:27:29,000 I have been here about two weeks, in my mind. 299 00:27:29,000 --> 00:27:31,000 On the calendar, I've been here over a year. 300 00:27:31,000 --> 00:27:34,000 It is going to fly by. 301 00:27:34,000 --> 00:27:37,000 So do take advantage of this opportunity. 302 00:27:37,000 --> 00:27:39,000 Do get out. 303 00:27:39,000 --> 00:27:40,000 Meet people. 304 00:27:40,000 --> 00:27:42,000 Talk about friendly. 305 00:27:42,000 --> 00:27:46,000 The Spanish people are incredibly friendly, even if you don't talk exactly right. 306 00:27:46,000 --> 00:27:48,000 We get you, we get you, we get you. 307 00:27:48,000 --> 00:27:55,000 So just take advantage of that openness and that warmth of the Spanish people to enjoy your time here. 308 00:27:55,000 --> 00:27:57,000 This will be a life-changing event. 309 00:27:57,000 --> 00:28:04,000 And as a former teacher myself, I taught six years in high school in the United States before coming into the Diplomatic Corps. 310 00:28:04,000 --> 00:28:11,000 The best advice I ever got from a senior teacher was, love your students. 311 00:28:11,000 --> 00:28:15,000 Because the minute you don't love them, you do not belong in that classroom. 312 00:28:15,000 --> 00:28:20,000 You have to love those students, in spite of their quirkiness, in spite of their... 313 00:28:20,000 --> 00:28:23,000 Are any of you teaching in the junior high school level? 314 00:28:23,000 --> 00:28:25,000 Because they're not even human. 315 00:28:25,000 --> 00:28:26,000 They're just hormones. 316 00:28:26,000 --> 00:28:28,000 They're just hormones. 317 00:28:28,000 --> 00:28:29,000 There's no rush. 318 00:28:29,000 --> 00:28:30,000 They're just all over. 319 00:28:30,000 --> 00:28:36,000 I would never have had the patience or the nerve to walk into a junior high school, into a senior high school. 320 00:28:36,000 --> 00:28:38,000 So be patient with them. 321 00:28:38,000 --> 00:28:40,000 Love those kids. 322 00:28:40,000 --> 00:28:41,000 Enjoy those kids. 323 00:28:41,000 --> 00:28:46,000 Every once in a while, when they say something really wacky, do not laugh in their face. 324 00:28:46,000 --> 00:28:48,000 Do not laugh in their face. 325 00:28:48,000 --> 00:28:52,000 Just, like, stop and say, well, actually, no, that's not the way it is. 326 00:28:52,000 --> 00:28:54,000 I mean, we've had people asking us. 327 00:28:54,000 --> 00:29:00,000 My brother had an Italian cousin say if, you know, some kid from... 328 00:29:00,000 --> 00:29:02,000 There was this show years ago. 329 00:29:02,000 --> 00:29:04,000 Is that car real that talks? 330 00:29:04,000 --> 00:29:05,000 No, it's not real. 331 00:29:05,000 --> 00:29:07,000 So be patient with the students. 332 00:29:07,000 --> 00:29:08,000 Enjoy them. 333 00:29:08,000 --> 00:29:10,000 And have a wonderful, wonderful year. 334 00:29:10,000 --> 00:29:11,000 Thank you for being here. 335 00:29:11,000 --> 00:29:13,000 Thank you for agreeing to serve in this capacity. 336 00:29:23,000 --> 00:29:25,000 Thank you so much, Dr. Emilia. 337 00:29:25,000 --> 00:29:28,000 Next, we want to move to the ladies' council. 338 00:29:28,000 --> 00:29:29,000 If you would help me out. 339 00:29:29,000 --> 00:29:30,000 Marco Levi. 340 00:29:34,000 --> 00:29:35,000 Buenos días a todos. 341 00:29:36,000 --> 00:29:42,000 One of the advantages of going last is that most of the things I've gone into, as I said, have already been said. 342 00:29:42,000 --> 00:29:44,000 So I'll make this fairly brief. 343 00:29:44,000 --> 00:29:46,000 But I just want to say a big thank you. 344 00:29:46,000 --> 00:29:52,000 Muchísimas gracias a todos los autoridades de la Comunidad Madrid, de la Embajada, por invitarnos aquí, 345 00:29:52,000 --> 00:29:56,000 y por la planta que le dieron a usted y a ellos desde hace ya muchísimos años. 346 00:29:56,000 --> 00:30:03,000 Hay muchísimos programas de Plurilinguismo y Bilingüismo aquí en España, en Madrid. 347 00:30:03,000 --> 00:30:05,000 Y son cada vez más importantes. 348 00:30:05,000 --> 00:30:12,000 Y me alegro mucho que estamos aquí con tantos jóvenes que han venido a España con ganas de aprender español 349 00:30:12,000 --> 00:30:15,000 y también de aprender de su tiempo en España. 350 00:30:15,000 --> 00:30:17,000 Mientras ayudan a enseñar inglés. 351 00:30:17,000 --> 00:30:19,000 Es muy, muy importante. 352 00:30:19,000 --> 00:30:21,000 And I'm going to speak in English. 353 00:30:24,000 --> 00:30:29,000 The British Council has a very close relationship with the Bilingual and Plurilingual Program. 354 00:30:29,000 --> 00:30:34,000 We've been working with the various governments, central government, regional government, for many, many years. 355 00:30:34,000 --> 00:30:39,000 And I think it's important that you know, those of you who come from the British Program, 356 00:30:39,000 --> 00:30:43,000 that this program has been running since 1905. 357 00:30:43,000 --> 00:30:45,000 So it's been running a long, long time. 358 00:30:45,000 --> 00:30:51,000 1936, I think, was the date that was given for the first language assistance here in Spain. 359 00:30:51,000 --> 00:30:55,000 Previously, France, and still France, is still the biggest program. 360 00:30:55,000 --> 00:30:57,000 But Spain is the second biggest program. 361 00:30:57,000 --> 00:31:01,000 And the 100 or so language assistants that are here in Madrid 362 00:31:01,000 --> 00:31:07,000 are part of about 700 that are here from the UK in Spain this year, working all around the country. 363 00:31:07,000 --> 00:31:10,000 And that's been given, I think, 1,400 in Madrid? 364 00:31:11,000 --> 00:31:13,000 So, I mean, it's a huge, huge program. 365 00:31:13,000 --> 00:31:15,000 And you're a very, very big part of that. 366 00:31:15,000 --> 00:31:20,000 I think it's worth mentioning that learning English in Spain is a serious matter. 367 00:31:20,000 --> 00:31:25,000 Governments and individuals in Spain have spent and are spending a lot of money 368 00:31:25,000 --> 00:31:28,000 to bring the standard English up to a good level. 369 00:31:28,000 --> 00:31:30,000 And this starts in school. 370 00:31:31,000 --> 00:31:33,000 English is important for higher education. 371 00:31:33,000 --> 00:31:35,000 It's important for employability. 372 00:31:35,000 --> 00:31:37,000 It's important for mobility. 373 00:31:37,000 --> 00:31:39,000 It's important for international opportunities. 374 00:31:39,000 --> 00:31:41,000 It's important for business. 375 00:31:41,000 --> 00:31:43,000 It's important for international trade. 376 00:31:43,000 --> 00:31:45,000 It's important on a personal level. 377 00:31:45,000 --> 00:31:47,000 It's important on a country level. 378 00:31:47,000 --> 00:31:50,000 And that makes you very important, too. 379 00:31:50,000 --> 00:31:57,000 Because you provide something which is not readily available in the school system, 380 00:31:57,000 --> 00:32:03,000 which is the opportunity to speak English to young English, French, American, Canadian, 381 00:32:03,000 --> 00:32:05,000 but to young people from other countries. 382 00:32:05,000 --> 00:32:09,000 It's a very, very unique opportunity for all of the Spanish people who are studying languages. 383 00:32:09,000 --> 00:32:12,000 And if you're English, for all of the Spanish people who are studying English. 384 00:32:13,000 --> 00:32:18,000 Learning a language, as other people have said, is also a window into another culture. 385 00:32:18,000 --> 00:32:20,000 And that's also what you're here for. 386 00:32:20,000 --> 00:32:25,000 You're here to provide some access, in the case of those who come from the UK, 387 00:32:25,000 --> 00:32:28,000 to modern, multicultural Britain. 388 00:32:28,000 --> 00:32:32,000 Hopefully, you're here to provide an alternative to some of the stereotypes 389 00:32:32,000 --> 00:32:34,000 which still are out there now. 390 00:32:34,000 --> 00:32:37,000 So you have an alternative to the beefeaters and the English bobby 391 00:32:37,000 --> 00:32:40,000 and hats and umbrellas and London buses and taxis. 392 00:32:40,000 --> 00:32:43,000 So honestly, if you're planning to wear a beefeater costume, don't. 393 00:32:43,000 --> 00:32:46,000 We really don't need any. 394 00:32:46,000 --> 00:32:49,000 We've got a whole different UK that you come from out there, 395 00:32:49,000 --> 00:32:52,000 and that's the UK that we want to go across. 396 00:32:52,000 --> 00:32:57,000 Many of you maybe have never been involved in language teaching or teaching at all. 397 00:32:57,000 --> 00:32:59,000 It might be very, very new to you. 398 00:32:59,000 --> 00:33:04,000 I came to Spain a long time ago to teach at 24, 399 00:33:04,000 --> 00:33:07,000 and I really didn't know anything about language or teaching. 400 00:33:07,000 --> 00:33:10,000 I still remember my first class when somebody asked me about fresh herbs 401 00:33:10,000 --> 00:33:12,000 and somebody else asked me about germs, 402 00:33:12,000 --> 00:33:14,000 but I'd never even heard the words before. 403 00:33:14,000 --> 00:33:16,000 I had no idea what they were talking about. 404 00:33:16,000 --> 00:33:17,000 But it's like everything else. 405 00:33:17,000 --> 00:33:19,000 Soon you learn, soon you pick things up, 406 00:33:19,000 --> 00:33:21,000 you find you've got support in your schools, 407 00:33:21,000 --> 00:33:25,000 and now I think you've got a ton of support out there on the internet as well. 408 00:33:25,000 --> 00:33:29,000 From the British Council we've got, I think Louise might have told you 409 00:33:29,000 --> 00:33:32,000 some of the things that we have available in her previous, 410 00:33:32,000 --> 00:33:35,000 if you were in Louise's session, teaching tips. 411 00:33:35,000 --> 00:33:41,000 Learn English kids, learn English teens, learn English adults, teach English. 412 00:33:41,000 --> 00:33:45,000 There's a whole range of websites out there, a whole range of apps, 413 00:33:45,000 --> 00:33:49,000 all these things that will help you, I hope, be successful in your teaching. 414 00:33:51,000 --> 00:33:55,000 And you'll also be working alongside great Spanish teachers as well, so use them. 415 00:33:55,000 --> 00:33:59,000 Ask for help when you need it, help them when they need you to help them. 416 00:33:59,000 --> 00:34:02,000 I think you probably know that youth unemployment in Spain 417 00:34:02,000 --> 00:34:04,000 is amongst the highest in Europe. 418 00:34:04,000 --> 00:34:06,000 You're actually very fortunate to have a job here. 419 00:34:06,000 --> 00:34:09,000 So don't, you know, make the most of that opportunity, 420 00:34:09,000 --> 00:34:11,000 and I'm sure you'll take it very seriously. 421 00:34:11,000 --> 00:34:14,000 And while you're doing all of the serious things, 422 00:34:14,000 --> 00:34:16,000 and while you're teaching, while you're helping, as others have said, 423 00:34:16,000 --> 00:34:19,000 make the most of the opportunity to learn too. 424 00:34:19,000 --> 00:34:22,000 To learn Spanish, I assume that's your main reason for being here, 425 00:34:22,000 --> 00:34:25,000 but also to learn about Madrid and to learn about Spain, 426 00:34:25,000 --> 00:34:27,000 to meet loads of millenials and millenials, 427 00:34:27,000 --> 00:34:29,000 loads of Espanoles, Espanolas, 428 00:34:29,000 --> 00:34:32,000 and all of the other people that populate this fantastic city. 429 00:34:32,000 --> 00:34:34,000 It's a great country, it's a great city. 430 00:34:34,000 --> 00:34:38,000 I originally came to Spain in 1985 for three months. 431 00:34:39,000 --> 00:34:42,000 I've been here more or less all the time since. 432 00:34:43,000 --> 00:34:45,000 It's just too much fun when you're here, 433 00:34:45,000 --> 00:34:47,000 and it's very hard when you're away, 434 00:34:47,000 --> 00:34:49,000 so I end up coming back. 435 00:34:49,000 --> 00:34:51,000 The people are wonderful, the city is vibrant, 436 00:34:51,000 --> 00:34:54,000 there's loads to do, there's high culture, there's low culture, 437 00:34:54,000 --> 00:34:58,000 there's music, museums, skiing, countryside bars, food and drinks, 438 00:34:58,000 --> 00:34:59,000 there's everything here. 439 00:34:59,000 --> 00:35:02,000 There's a wonderful nightlife, which you probably already know. 440 00:35:02,000 --> 00:35:04,000 Unfortunately, there is no decent football, 441 00:35:04,000 --> 00:35:06,000 but you can't have everything. 442 00:35:09,000 --> 00:35:11,000 It's life. 443 00:35:11,000 --> 00:35:15,000 So, I hope you'll take advantage of this fantastic opportunity that you have, 444 00:35:15,000 --> 00:35:18,000 get to know how wonderful Spaniards and Spanish people are, 445 00:35:18,000 --> 00:35:20,000 make sure you remember why you're here, 446 00:35:20,000 --> 00:35:22,000 and what you're here for, and who you're representing. 447 00:35:22,000 --> 00:35:24,000 Have a wonderful time, keep in touch, 448 00:35:24,000 --> 00:35:26,000 and if you're part of the UK team, 449 00:35:26,000 --> 00:35:29,000 I hope to see you at the British Council for a reception on Thursday. 450 00:35:29,000 --> 00:35:30,000 It would be our masterpiece. 451 00:35:30,000 --> 00:35:31,000 Thank you very much. 452 00:35:39,000 --> 00:35:41,000 Thank you so much, Mark. 453 00:35:41,000 --> 00:35:45,000 Disagreeing with you, I think that you can play here very good football, 454 00:35:45,000 --> 00:35:49,000 you can do that too, singing Padre, doing Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, 455 00:35:49,000 --> 00:35:54,000 many Spanish teams, Madrid teams in the first league, 456 00:35:55,000 --> 00:35:58,000 and most of them, we need also a European champion. 457 00:36:04,000 --> 00:36:08,000 So, now we have here, Alberto Lote, 458 00:36:08,000 --> 00:36:10,000 he's Chief Executive from Uruguay. 459 00:36:13,000 --> 00:36:15,000 Thank you very much, Ismael, 460 00:36:15,000 --> 00:36:17,000 thank you very much, Mr. Porcejera, 461 00:36:17,000 --> 00:36:19,000 thank you very much, Director. 462 00:36:19,000 --> 00:36:23,000 Good morning, good morning, those of you who are listening to us 463 00:36:23,000 --> 00:36:25,000 and watching us by streaming. 464 00:36:27,000 --> 00:36:30,000 It's very difficult to talk to you in this position 465 00:36:30,000 --> 00:36:32,000 because everybody has been already said, 466 00:36:32,000 --> 00:36:36,000 but it's also nice to hear what has been said 467 00:36:36,000 --> 00:36:38,000 and reply to some things. 468 00:36:38,000 --> 00:36:41,000 For example, we always welcome British 469 00:36:41,000 --> 00:36:44,000 that want to learn football from the Spaniards. 470 00:36:48,000 --> 00:36:50,000 I am from the Footbreak Commission, 471 00:36:50,000 --> 00:36:53,000 and there are some footbreakers that are here with you. 472 00:36:53,000 --> 00:36:57,000 And of course, I invite you, when you are back to your countries, 473 00:36:57,000 --> 00:37:00,000 to apply for a footbreak to study in the U.S. 474 00:37:00,000 --> 00:37:02,000 if you are not American, 475 00:37:02,000 --> 00:37:06,000 or to apply again to Spain or to another country in the U.S. 476 00:37:06,000 --> 00:37:08,000 It's a very nice program, this footbreak. 477 00:37:08,000 --> 00:37:11,000 Having said so, I'm going to change to Spanish 478 00:37:11,000 --> 00:37:14,000 because it's my mother tongue. 479 00:37:14,000 --> 00:37:19,000 And I'm going to tell you that I'm not going to say 480 00:37:19,000 --> 00:37:24,000 that you have to be ambassadors of your countries, 481 00:37:24,000 --> 00:37:26,000 because they have already said so. 482 00:37:26,000 --> 00:37:31,000 And I'm not going to say that you have to be responsible, 483 00:37:31,000 --> 00:37:33,000 because they have already said so. 484 00:37:33,000 --> 00:37:35,000 And I'm not going to say that you have to take advantage of it, 485 00:37:35,000 --> 00:37:37,000 because they have already said so. 486 00:37:37,000 --> 00:37:41,000 Simon, Emilia, Mark, they already said so. 487 00:37:42,000 --> 00:37:44,000 What I'm going to ask you is a favor. 488 00:37:44,000 --> 00:37:49,000 You have to help this new team of the Madrid community, 489 00:37:49,000 --> 00:37:51,000 because it's a new team. 490 00:37:51,000 --> 00:37:53,000 It's the third year that I speak, 491 00:37:53,000 --> 00:37:56,000 and these gentlemen, it seems that they are not doing everything very well, 492 00:37:56,000 --> 00:37:59,000 but it's the first time that they are organizing all this. 493 00:37:59,000 --> 00:38:01,000 And organizing this is very difficult. 494 00:38:01,000 --> 00:38:03,000 It's a new team, 495 00:38:03,000 --> 00:38:07,000 it's a team that has taken with great enthusiasm the bilingual program, 496 00:38:07,000 --> 00:38:10,000 Ismael, David, the vice-adviser, 497 00:38:10,000 --> 00:38:14,000 not the vice-adviser, because the vice-adviser started the bilingual program. 498 00:38:14,000 --> 00:38:18,000 Eleven years ago, it was the first one that started to think 499 00:38:18,000 --> 00:38:21,000 that it was very important to give an opportunity, 500 00:38:21,000 --> 00:38:24,000 beyond the traditional English classes, 501 00:38:24,000 --> 00:38:26,000 to the Madrid students, 502 00:38:26,000 --> 00:38:28,000 and it really started what is the bilingual program. 503 00:38:28,000 --> 00:38:31,000 But the whole team that works with the vice-adviser, 504 00:38:31,000 --> 00:38:33,000 they are very good, but they are new, 505 00:38:33,000 --> 00:38:36,000 and you have to help them a lot. 506 00:38:36,000 --> 00:38:38,000 Thank you very much. 507 00:38:40,000 --> 00:38:42,000 Thank you very much. 508 00:38:44,000 --> 00:38:49,000 Hello, we are a new team in the Advisory Board of the Community of Madrid, 509 00:38:49,000 --> 00:38:53,000 the regional government of the Community of Madrid, 510 00:38:53,000 --> 00:38:56,000 and any kind of help that you can provide and help us, 511 00:38:56,000 --> 00:38:58,000 it will be very good. 512 00:38:58,000 --> 00:39:00,000 And we go to the next slide, 513 00:39:00,000 --> 00:39:03,000 with the vice-adviser of the University of Madrid, 514 00:39:03,000 --> 00:39:05,000 Carmen González. 515 00:39:05,000 --> 00:39:08,000 She was the pioneer of this program, 516 00:39:08,000 --> 00:39:10,000 the first person who thought 517 00:39:10,000 --> 00:39:12,000 that it was not enough just to learn English, 518 00:39:12,000 --> 00:39:14,000 but to learn in English. 519 00:39:14,000 --> 00:39:18,000 So, in the end, it is good to return to the program that already launched. 520 00:39:18,000 --> 00:39:20,000 So, Carmen, whenever you want. 521 00:39:21,000 --> 00:39:23,000 Thank you very much, Ismael. 522 00:39:23,000 --> 00:39:27,000 Greetings, first of all, to my colleagues from IESA, 523 00:39:27,000 --> 00:39:29,000 representatives of the Ministry, 524 00:39:29,000 --> 00:39:33,000 of the embassies, and to you, dear friends, 525 00:39:33,000 --> 00:39:37,000 because this is how I consider you from this moment, 526 00:39:38,000 --> 00:39:40,000 it is for me an honor and a joy 527 00:39:40,000 --> 00:39:42,000 to welcome you again 528 00:39:42,000 --> 00:39:45,000 on behalf of the Advisory Board of the Community of Madrid 529 00:39:45,000 --> 00:39:48,000 and the President of the Regional Government. 530 00:39:48,000 --> 00:39:50,000 Welcome to Madrid. 531 00:39:52,000 --> 00:39:53,000 And what can I tell you? 532 00:39:53,000 --> 00:39:56,000 The Community of Madrid is very proud 533 00:39:56,000 --> 00:40:00,000 of its language and Spanish-English teaching program, 534 00:40:00,000 --> 00:40:03,000 which is shared in many centers in our region, 535 00:40:03,000 --> 00:40:07,000 as well as in the French and German sections 536 00:40:07,000 --> 00:40:12,000 offered at the 19th Institute of Secondary Education. 537 00:40:12,000 --> 00:40:17,000 And that is why it is really an honor to welcome you here today. 538 00:40:17,000 --> 00:40:21,000 As Ismael and Alberto have already said, 539 00:40:21,000 --> 00:40:23,000 the advisory team is new, 540 00:40:23,000 --> 00:40:24,000 which is very good, 541 00:40:24,000 --> 00:40:27,000 because that means that they arrive with a lot of enthusiasm, 542 00:40:27,000 --> 00:40:30,000 like you, with a lot of desire to work. 543 00:40:31,000 --> 00:40:33,000 And I am not that new, 544 00:40:33,000 --> 00:40:37,000 I repeat, as Vice-Councilor of Education in this legislature, 545 00:40:37,000 --> 00:40:41,000 but I had the honor of also being in the legislature 546 00:40:41,000 --> 00:40:44,000 from 2003 to 2007. 547 00:40:44,000 --> 00:40:48,000 And it was my responsibility 548 00:40:48,000 --> 00:40:51,000 and my desire to launch 549 00:40:51,000 --> 00:40:55,000 the Community of Madrid Language Teaching Program. 550 00:40:55,000 --> 00:40:57,000 With a lot of work, 551 00:40:57,000 --> 00:40:59,000 as I say, with a lot of enthusiasm, 552 00:40:59,000 --> 00:41:02,000 with a lot of doubts, too. 553 00:41:02,000 --> 00:41:07,000 But we started with 26 public schools 554 00:41:07,000 --> 00:41:10,000 of elementary and elementary education. 555 00:41:10,000 --> 00:41:14,000 The program was implemented in the first year of elementary school, 556 00:41:14,000 --> 00:41:16,000 children of 6 years old. 557 00:41:16,000 --> 00:41:18,000 And the goal was very clear, 558 00:41:18,000 --> 00:41:21,000 it was to ensure that our children and young people 559 00:41:21,000 --> 00:41:24,000 of that generation 560 00:41:24,000 --> 00:41:27,000 were real European citizens, 561 00:41:27,000 --> 00:41:29,000 I would say, citizens of the world, 562 00:41:29,000 --> 00:41:32,000 because we were going to provide them 563 00:41:32,000 --> 00:41:35,000 with the level of competence sufficient 564 00:41:35,000 --> 00:41:38,000 to develop all over the world, 565 00:41:38,000 --> 00:41:40,000 without the difficulties and limitations 566 00:41:40,000 --> 00:41:43,000 that previous generations had. 567 00:41:43,000 --> 00:41:45,000 I would say, mine. 568 00:41:45,000 --> 00:41:47,000 Mine is French, I would say. 569 00:41:47,000 --> 00:41:50,000 But obviously not with the level of competence 570 00:41:50,000 --> 00:41:54,000 that our young people and students have today. 571 00:41:54,000 --> 00:41:57,000 And after 11 years, 572 00:41:57,000 --> 00:41:59,000 we see that this program, 573 00:41:59,000 --> 00:42:01,000 which we started with a lot of enthusiasm, 574 00:42:01,000 --> 00:42:03,000 has been consolidated, 575 00:42:03,000 --> 00:42:05,000 it is a success, 576 00:42:05,000 --> 00:42:09,000 it has been a benchmark for the rest of the regions 577 00:42:09,000 --> 00:42:11,000 or Spanish communities, 578 00:42:11,000 --> 00:42:15,000 and we already have 336 schools 579 00:42:15,000 --> 00:42:17,000 and 108 institutes 580 00:42:17,000 --> 00:42:20,000 in which this teaching is imparted. 581 00:42:20,000 --> 00:42:23,000 And part of the success of this program 582 00:42:23,000 --> 00:42:25,000 is due to you, 583 00:42:25,000 --> 00:42:27,000 to the opportunities of conversation, 584 00:42:27,000 --> 00:42:29,000 those of you who are here, 585 00:42:29,000 --> 00:42:32,000 those who have been here in other courses, 586 00:42:32,000 --> 00:42:34,000 because without you, 587 00:42:34,000 --> 00:42:38,000 the program would not be what it is. 588 00:42:38,000 --> 00:42:40,000 In this course, 589 00:42:40,000 --> 00:42:44,000 at the end of June 2016, 590 00:42:44,000 --> 00:42:47,000 those children who started the bilingual program 591 00:42:47,000 --> 00:42:49,000 in 2004-2005, 592 00:42:49,000 --> 00:42:51,000 who were 6 years old, 593 00:42:51,000 --> 00:42:54,000 finish high school. 594 00:42:54,000 --> 00:42:56,000 And the Spanish universities, 595 00:42:56,000 --> 00:42:59,000 and I hope that also some foreign ones, 596 00:42:59,000 --> 00:43:03,000 will receive some young Spanish people 597 00:43:03,000 --> 00:43:05,000 who have a very different profile 598 00:43:05,000 --> 00:43:08,000 and who are really real European citizens, 599 00:43:08,000 --> 00:43:11,000 I don't say citizens of the world, 600 00:43:11,000 --> 00:43:13,000 and you, 601 00:43:13,000 --> 00:43:16,000 and your colleagues in Los Angeles, 602 00:43:16,000 --> 00:43:20,000 will have a lot of responsibility in that. 603 00:43:20,000 --> 00:43:24,000 Tell them that you come to Madrid, 604 00:43:24,000 --> 00:43:26,000 that you come to Spain, 605 00:43:26,000 --> 00:43:28,000 that you bring us your language 606 00:43:28,000 --> 00:43:30,000 and your culture, 607 00:43:30,000 --> 00:43:33,000 that you will join our classrooms, 608 00:43:33,000 --> 00:43:36,000 with a lot of enthusiasm, I am sure, 609 00:43:36,000 --> 00:43:40,000 and with that enthusiasm of youth that you all have, 610 00:43:40,000 --> 00:43:43,000 just look at them and feel a lot of envy, 611 00:43:43,000 --> 00:43:45,000 healthy, but envy, 612 00:43:45,000 --> 00:43:48,000 and you will also live, 613 00:43:48,000 --> 00:43:51,000 live and share with us 614 00:43:51,000 --> 00:43:53,000 a year of your life, 615 00:43:53,000 --> 00:43:56,000 a course of your life. 616 00:43:56,000 --> 00:44:00,000 It has been said that you are the best ambassadors 617 00:44:00,000 --> 00:44:02,000 of your countries of origin, 618 00:44:02,000 --> 00:44:04,000 but when you return to them, 619 00:44:04,000 --> 00:44:06,000 you will be the best ambassadors of Madrid, 620 00:44:06,000 --> 00:44:10,000 you will be the best prescribers of Madrid, 621 00:44:10,000 --> 00:44:13,000 even of Madrid as a tourist destination. 622 00:44:13,000 --> 00:44:15,000 So, as you will see, 623 00:44:15,000 --> 00:44:18,000 we are delighted to have you here, 624 00:44:18,000 --> 00:44:20,000 and we have an immense responsibility, 625 00:44:20,000 --> 00:44:22,000 all the people of Madrid, 626 00:44:22,000 --> 00:44:25,000 to make you feel at home. 627 00:44:25,000 --> 00:44:29,000 The people of Madrid are welcoming people, 628 00:44:29,000 --> 00:44:31,000 hospitable people, 629 00:44:31,000 --> 00:44:36,000 and I am sure that you will feel at home again. 630 00:44:36,000 --> 00:44:38,000 You will live an experience, 631 00:44:38,000 --> 00:44:41,000 not only professional, but personal, 632 00:44:41,000 --> 00:44:44,000 that you will probably never forget in your life, 633 00:44:44,000 --> 00:44:46,000 because it will be amazing. 634 00:44:46,000 --> 00:44:49,000 I hope that you fall in love with Madrid, 635 00:44:49,000 --> 00:44:51,000 and if you fall in love with any Madrider, 636 00:44:51,000 --> 00:44:53,000 Madrid her. 637 00:44:54,000 --> 00:44:56,000 And above all, that you return. 638 00:44:56,000 --> 00:44:59,000 I think that this is our responsibility, 639 00:44:59,000 --> 00:45:01,000 not only from the Ministry of Education, 640 00:45:01,000 --> 00:45:04,000 but from all the Spanish families, 641 00:45:04,000 --> 00:45:07,000 whose children will be in your hands 642 00:45:07,000 --> 00:45:09,000 during a course, 643 00:45:09,000 --> 00:45:11,000 and from all the people of Madrid. 644 00:45:11,000 --> 00:45:14,000 Enjoy the free time you have left 645 00:45:14,000 --> 00:45:16,000 of everything that Madrid offers. 646 00:45:16,000 --> 00:45:19,000 I suppose that some of you have already been 647 00:45:19,000 --> 00:45:21,000 as tourists before, 648 00:45:21,000 --> 00:45:25,000 and I am sure that you will fall in love with Madrid. 649 00:45:25,000 --> 00:45:29,000 And also, due to our geographical location, 650 00:45:29,000 --> 00:45:32,000 we are located in the center of the peninsula, 651 00:45:32,000 --> 00:45:34,000 in the center of Spain, 652 00:45:34,000 --> 00:45:39,000 and with a high-speed communication network 653 00:45:39,000 --> 00:45:42,000 that will allow you to get to know Spain, 654 00:45:42,000 --> 00:45:45,000 taking advantage of the weekend, 655 00:45:45,000 --> 00:45:47,000 and in less than two hours, 656 00:45:47,000 --> 00:45:49,000 you have about ten destinations 657 00:45:49,000 --> 00:45:51,000 that are a World Heritage Site. 658 00:45:52,000 --> 00:45:55,000 So, welcome again, 659 00:45:55,000 --> 00:45:57,000 and have a great time with us. 660 00:45:57,000 --> 00:45:59,000 Thank you very much. 661 00:46:09,000 --> 00:46:11,000 Well, let's wrap up 662 00:46:11,000 --> 00:46:13,000 this welcome day, 663 00:46:13,000 --> 00:46:15,000 and start the session. 664 00:46:21,000 --> 00:46:23,000 Thank you. -> 00:45:30,000 we are located 731 00:45:30,000 --> 00:45:32,000 in the center of the peninsula, 732 00:45:32,000 --> 00:45:34,000 in the center of Spain, 733 00:45:34,000 --> 00:45:36,000 and with a network of communications 734 00:45:36,000 --> 00:45:38,000 and high-speed trains 735 00:45:38,000 --> 00:45:40,000 that will allow you to get to know 736 00:45:40,000 --> 00:45:42,000 Spain 737 00:45:42,000 --> 00:45:44,000 taking advantage of the weekend 738 00:45:44,000 --> 00:45:46,000 and in less than two hours 739 00:45:46,000 --> 00:45:48,000 you will have 740 00:45:48,000 --> 00:45:50,000 ten destinations 741 00:45:50,000 --> 00:45:52,000 that are a World Heritage Site. 742 00:45:52,000 --> 00:45:54,000 So, really, 743 00:45:54,000 --> 00:45:56,000 welcome again, 744 00:45:56,000 --> 00:45:58,000 and have a great time with us. 745 00:45:58,000 --> 00:46:00,000 Thank you very much. 746 00:46:06,000 --> 00:46:08,000 Thank you very much.