In a recent gathering, the students of 9th Grade Class C participated in an engaging and unique experience that blended language learning with Chilean culture. This activity took place during their Ethics and English classes, under the organisation of their head teacher, Ms. Ivonne Figueroa, and Mr. Marcos Riveros from the English Immersion Program.
The aim of this gathering was to introduce an English communicative approach in classes traditionally conducted in Spanish, such as Ethics, allowing students to familiarise themselves with the English language in diverse settings. As part of the event, the students prepared «completos,» a beloved Chilean dish, and discussed various aspects of this classic snack.
The conversation centered around how to prepare a completo, with students sharing their own recipes and discussing one of the most controversial topics in Chilean culinary culture – the correct order of ingredients. Should the completo be assembled with bread, sausage, avocado, tomato, and then sauces? Or should the bread, sausage, tomato, and sauces come first, followed by the avocado? The debates were lively and added an extra layer of fun to the experience!
With the guidance of Mr. Marcos the students took charge of the entire preparation process. They cooked the sausages, smashed the avocados, peeled the tomatoes, and heated the bread in the school’s kitchen. It was an excellent opportunity for them to apply English in a real-life context while engaging with Chilean culinary traditions.
After all the hard work, the students gathered at a long table in their classroom to enjoy their creations together. They shared the meal while continuing to practice English, reinforcing the idea that language learning can be enjoyable and practical.
This activity not only allowed students to learn through experience but also created a sense of community as they bonded over cooking and sharing a meal. It was a wonderful example of how to make learning interactive and culturally relevant, providing students with meaningful opportunities to use English in a variety of contexts.
