3G meets a teacher from the Paddington Academy

On Monday 23th October, the class 3G hosted an English teacher who teaches languages in an outstanding school in London, Mrs Francesca Loewe. She explained to the class a lot of things about life in London and the school where she works.

First, the secondary school is in London city center and it’s the Paddington Academy (https://www.paddington-academy.org/). Students aged from 11 to 18 study there and it is very different from our school. They have to choose only 3 subjects, but ”artistic” subjects aren’t considered as important as others because the school is very academic. Students must wear a school uniform and there’s no chance they have to repeat the year. Oral tests don’t exist and students have to change room every time they change subject. At the end of their secondary school there is a National test which is on the same day, the same hour with the same question for the whole country.

Talking about life in London, she told us that it’s very expensive. A house is very difficult to find and it always costs a lot. A particular fact is that it’s an enormous city, so there are many cultures. The majority of her students don't speak English as their first language as they come from other countries. Finally, the worst thing about living in London is that people are usually really busy, and if you want to meet a friend you have to book it maybe two months before because they are always in a rush!

Tommaso Cugno 3G