Addison Trail students Skype with students from Chile

Addison Trail students in Spanish teacher Valeria Carrillo’s Spanish 2 class have been practicing their Spanish by speaking with a group of students from Chile through Skype.

The students have participated in Skype conversations four times since mid-October. They ask the students from Chile questions in Spanish, and those students respond in English. Carrillo is a 2007 Addison Trail graduate, and when she found out her classmate Katie Puchalski teaches English to students at Liceo Yobilo (a school in the town of Coronel in the Bío Bío region of Chile), she jumped at the opportunity to have her students Skype with Puchalski’s students.

“It lets them apply what they’ve learned in my class,” Carrillo said. “I want them to see they can use what they’ve learned to have a conversation with someone in Spanish."

Addison Trail sophomore Nick Obrzut said he has enjoyed the project, and it has taught him how to apply the Spanish vocabulary he has learned.

“It’s very interesting to chat with people from outside the U.S.,” he said. “It’s a great experience, and I hope to do it again.”

Sophomore Nick Conrad agreed and said it’s a great way to learn about another culture.