Who coordinates the SMiLE Programme?
There are 4 main coordinators:
Liz Russell (Academic coordinator for the University, URV)
Mònica Escarcelle (Academic Coordinator of the Catalan Department of Education)
Susana de Llobet (Administrative Coordinator of the International Centre, URV)
Núria Golobardes (Administrator of the International Centre for SMiLE Traineeships, URV)
What is the difference between the SMiLE Programme and SMiLE Traineeships?
The SMiLE Programme is for incoming Erasmus or mobility students who are registered in the URV as undergraduates or as postgraduates in a URV Masters degree. The SMiLE Programme gives you the possibility to do 40 hours face-to-face conversation classes in one of the primary or secondary schools in your free hours while you take your URV modules as an undergraduate or postgraduate. You do not get paid for these classes but you do receive a certificate from the school and also 6 ECTS credits which are included in your Learning Agreement.
SMiLE Traineeships are only for incoming postgraduates who must register in the university (a small fee) and they can do up to three months teaching and conversation practice (20 hours per week, for example). You do not get paid for the traineeship but you can apply for a Traineeship grant through the European Union. This has to be arranged by your Home university – not the URV.
Interview & Meeting
* I will be asking you to come to a Meeting/Interview. You can come to my office most afternoons in September from 4.00pm - 6.00pm. To get to my office, please enter the building from the Patio in Campus Catalunya, Entrance D2. Go up to the second floor. You will see a glass door leading to the offices of the Department of English & German. My office is 213.
* I am also in my office on most mornings except when I am teaching.
* I will be asking you to come to a Meeting/Interview. You can come to my office most afternoons in September from 4.00pm - 6.00pm. To get to my office, please enter the building from the Patio in Campus Catalunya, Entrance D2. Go up to the second floor. You will see a glass door leading to the offices of the Department of English & German. My office is 213.
* I am also in my office on most mornings except when I am teaching.
BEFORE you come to see me:
* you should fill in the attached Application Form and send it to me. The same Application Form can also be found on the SMiLE blog. Please send me a PHOTO.
* you should read the SMiLE Blog carefully. It will give you all the necessary information about the programme and the nature of the conversation classes.
Information on the blog is in English/Spanish/Catalan/ French/German.
* Internet address for the SMiLE blog:
http://site-smileprogramme.strikingly.com/#welcome
Frequent Questions and Answers:
- Where are the schools situated? All the schools in Tarragona are situated within walking distance of the University Campus "Campus Catalunya" (5-30 minutes away). If you are studying in one of the Reus Campuses, there are some schools there also. There is a very good bus service between the Tarragona and Reus campuses.
- Will SMiLE students need to speak Catalan or Spanish? No!
- What will a normal SMiLE class be like? Before you actually start classes, you will meet your School Tutor (not me!). He/She will ask you to be present in one of his/her language classes for the first day. You will simply sit there, listen and get an idea of what the pupils are like. The tutor will then guide you, give you material, show you the school facilities, introduce you to the teachers and may be with you while you are giving the pupils conversation classes.
- What topics would be appropriate for the SMiLE conversation classes? Your tutor will give you ideas but you should also show your own iniative in choosing topics that the pupils will be interested in, such as: culture / your native country / contemporary music / films / art / food / games / sports / film stars / science / science fiction / and so on. More ideas available on the BLOG for SMiLE.
- When will SMiLE candidates know if they have been accepted for the programme? You will be interviewed by me in order to establish what is expected. The ideal candidate should be very proficient in one of the three SMiLE languages (English/German/French). She/He should be able to motivate pupils to talk in class and be ready to help them in the learning and understanding of the language. If you are too shy, this programme might not be the right place for you but if you like meeting new people and are outgoing and a little bit of an extrovert, then I'm sure you will enjoy SMiLE. If you look at the BLOG, you will be able to see comments from SMiLE candidates from past years. A few days after the meeting, you will know whether you will be able to begin with the SMiLE Programme.
- When will the Programme begin? At the end of September or beginning of October. You will have to complete 40 face-to-face hours during the semester.
- What should you do once you know you have been accepted? You should tell your Mobility coordinator at your HOME university and also your URV mobility coordinator that you wish to join the Programme. You will be given 6 ECTS credits and so your HOME university coordinator will have to guarantee that these ECTS credits will be recognised.
- What should you write on your LEARNING AGREEMENT? This is important!! SMiLE is officially recognised by the URV (this university) and the title of the module and code number should be as follow:
ESTUDIS EN EL MARC DE CONVENIS DE MOBILITAT I (Code: 12274213) Semester One ONLY
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ESTUDIS EN EL MARC DE CONVENIS DE MOBILITAT II (Code 12274226)
Semester Two ONLY
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I hope the above will help you in your decision. Please note also that there are a limited number of places for SMiLE students. Also, there are more possibilities for SMiLE in ENGLISH than in GERMAN or in FRENCH.
This is because the demand for English is higher.
I hope the above will help you in your decision. Please note also that there are a limited number of places for SMiLE students. Also, there are more possibilities for SMiLE in ENGLISH than in GERMAN or in FRENCH.
This is because the demand for English is higher.
I hope you will enjoy your stay with us in Tarragona!
Best wishes,
Liz Russell liz.russell@urv.cat (Interview + university information)
Liz Russell liz.russell@urv.cat (Interview + university information)
________________________________________
Dr Elizabeth Russell (Liz)
Again, my office is in Campus Catalunya, Avinguda de Catalunya 35, Tarragona.
When you enter the Campus, turn right in the patio and go through the glass doors at entrance D2. Take the stairs or lift to the second floor. My office is number 213.
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