A GROUP of teachers and students from the region of Castilla y León in Spain have been in Cornwall, visiting 18 secondary and primary schools — including St Stephen's Community Academy, Launceston.

The visitors were sharing good teaching practice and, in the case of the Spanish students, teaching Spanish to primary children. The visit was funded by the European Union education programme, Comenius Regio.

Over the week, the teachers have been observing classes and helping with teaching where appropriate. In Spain, learning a foreign language is given a high profile with many subjects taught through English, even at primary school.

The students — aged between 15 and 18 — brought some authentic Spanish songs, games and stories to primary classrooms in Cornwall, acted as junior language assistants and stayed with their Cornish partners, who did the same in places like Segovia and Burgos in October.

St Stephen's Community Academy welcomed Maria Jesus, director of studies, from CEIP Maragarita Salas, Valladolid. The academy CEIP Maragarita Salas have been working collaboratively on projects involving local poetry, songs and local places of interest. The St Stephen's pupils have asked questions and learned a great deal through Maria Jesus' visit.

She is pictured with children from classes 3 and 4.

The schools taking part also included Bude Primary and Budehaven Community School.