Spanish cadets say farewell to host families

By Susan Leach

BRITISH and other English speaking host families in Mojacar, Turre and nearby towns said farewell to their, “sons,” and “daughters,” who returned to Segovia last weekend. 

Twenty eight male and female artillery cadets and their instructor Major Angel Losua, spent twelve days in the Almeria towns.  They came to take an intensive English course organised by Andy Mortimer and his team of teachers and assistants.  EWN reader, Glynn Histed and his partner Wendy Gretton, an English teacher in the programme, have been hosting for five years.  They encourage other readers to get involved in the programme.

Manuel Garcia, aged 29, from Seville, said he and the other cadets had been kept very busy, with no time to relax.  He said (in English), that it has been a great experience and would definitely come back.  Garcia won the award for the most improved reader.  Another cadet, from Seville aged 23. Alberto Aznar, said the host families and the food, had been wonderful.  They explained that every morning they had taken classes, then done sports activities, before spending time at, “home,” practising their English.  There was also Scottish night.  Hosts and cadets were treated to a live bag-pipe concert.

Last Friday there was an awards ceremony at the Turre community centre.  The cadets received certificates for completing the English course, a required part of their military training.  The group leader said they had really improved their English in such a short time.  He thanked the British hosts and organisers, adding that the cadets looked forward to receiving them as guests in Segovia very soon.  There is a visit planned for the weekend of September 14.  It will include a tour of the artillery academy and monuments in the historical city of Segovia.    

The mayor of Turre, Arturo Grima, spoke in English at the ceremony.  He thanked Mortimer and the other teachers.  He said that without the host families it wouldn’t have been possible, and told the cadets, “When you want to come back, Turre is here.”

If you are interested in the Segovia trip, or the possibility of hosting cadets, contact: andrewmortimer7@msn.com.