Disclosure: As I am going to be a teacher, I created a gap fill. Can you guess the words that fit the gap? Find the solutions at the end of the report and consider the heading. 

________ year as a German language assistant is finished for me now.

________ of you might be wondering how is it“another” year?

________ time spent abroad has been made possible for me because of the Sprachassistenz-Programm that allows for people with and without an educational background to go to schools all over the EU and share some insights into Austrian culture with the students there. 

________ some more time in Ireland after finishing my Master degree in 2024 before starting to work as a teacher in Austria, I was delighted when I got accepted again which is not the rule since the available spots for Ireland usually are very much in demand. 

________ September 30^th, 2024, the next big adventure abroad started for me and it brought me to Athlone, County Westmeath where my landlady welcomed me at the bus stop.

________, I was really taken by her nice gesture, however, it was a challenge living in her house which was recommended to me by another previous language assistant. 

________ the cold winter months, my landlady did not switch on the heating regularly and also did not want me to use too much electricity, thus, I was freezing a lot in her house which was not always easy for me.

________ spite of these hardships, she allowed me to practise my instruments and use the kitchen in the house and I still appreciated her and her son’s company.

________, I tried to spend some time outside of the house with activities that kept me busy and away from the cold.

________ had the school that I could focus on, of course. 

________ my bike to get there was what I did every single day to get there which took me about 35 minutes.

________ for one day when my bike broke down, cycling worked out perfectly for me and I also cycled in Athlone during my free time to get to 

________ cycling paths definitely add to the quality of life in Athlone since going by car is very time-consuming once you get stuck in traffic. 

________ from being the reasons to exercise before and after work, the school was a significant part of my Ireland experience.

________ only the routine of going there four days a week provided a structure throughout my time there but I also interacted with students a lot.

________ German class, I accompanied different German teachers and supported them in terms of classroom management or activities.

________, I worked with small groups or individual students in Senior Cycle to prepare them for the oral exam.

________ one of the German teachers injured her foot in April, I eventually also had to teach some German classes myself.

________ course, I am not trained as a German as a second language teacher but I could still apply some methods for foreign language teaching.

________, that was an invaluable practice for working as a teacher next year. 

________ students were not always easy to work with and I had to consider aspects about classroom management, as well. 

________, I think I am well-prepared for what is waiting for me in school next year.

________, school is not the only aspect of my life abroad that kept me busy.

________ in winter, I was grateful for activities where I could leave my accommodation.

________ of time was spent at the Regional Sport Centre.

________ had a student membership which cost 45 euro per month.

________ example, that entails attending as many classes at the gym and pool as you like.

________ the lane coach that took place twice a week was a highlight.

________ past time activity was the Zumba class.

________ of mine recommended it to me. 

________ a matter of fact, I enjoyed learning the choreographies to the songs so much.

________ in the year, I discovered a pub session for beginners.

________ I was not an experienced fiddle player, it was the ideal place to start learning to play trad music on the fiddle.

________ even the cold weather in January could stop me from cycling out to the pub.

________ hours did I spend beside the fireplace in the “Dog and Duck”. 

________, there were about seven musicians and we played our tunes together.

________ the beginning, I was a bit insecure but I have improved a lot.

________ to the sessions is something I recommend to anyone who visits Ireland.

________ if you do not play an instrument, it connects you with people.

________, this tradition is not common in Austria and gives you an insight into Irish culture.

________ all these activities took place during the week, I still had my weekends available.

________ of them, I spent together with other language assistants.

________ Austria, an introductory meeting was organised for the ones from Austria and we got to know each other.

________ each other on the weekends or sending updates about our daily life helped to take on all the challenges.

________ about going abroad now as well?

________ you might be able to tell, I thoroughly enjoyed my stay.

________ would I have thought that I could have a similar experience to my first language assistance.

________, I can only recommend taking part in the programme which could have a very positive impact on your life. 

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Text und Fotos: Marlene Jobst