Last week, our senior Spanish classes experienced an exciting and authentic cultural excursion to a local Mexican restaurant – Mami’s, providing students with a unique opportunity to practise their language skills in a real-world setting with latin american staff and each other. Students were greeted with vibrant decor, lively music, and the irresistible aromas of freshly prepared Mexican cuisine.
Throughout the afternoon, students tried a delicious array of traditional dishes, including quesadillas, tacos, nachos, and guacamole. Each student was encouraged to step out of their comfort zone and explore the variety of flavours that Mexican cuisine has to offer. For many, it was their first time tasting some of these authentic dishes, and they embraced the challenge with enthusiasm – some students even drank the birria broth!
Another of the highlights of the excursion was the language component—students were tasked with communicating ONLY in Spanish. From requesting water, cutlery and getting students to pass them food or sauces, they navigated the language barrier with creativity, patience, and a good dose of humour. While it was challenging at times, it was also a lot of fun! The students quickly discovered that practical, hands-on experiences like these are invaluable for building confidence and fluency.
This excursion not only allowed students to practise their Spanish in a real-world context but also immersed them in the rich food culture of Mexico. Safe to say students left the restaurant a few kilos heavier and a lot happier. We are proud of our students for embracing the experience with open minds and eager palates, and we look forward to more opportunities of Spanish learning in the real world.
Daniel Best
Head Teacher of LOTE
dbest@waverley.nsw.edu.au
