PHS Students Exchange Letters with Peers in Spain

Students in Carolyne Hall’s Spanish 3 class are currently corresponding with student pen pals from Spain. The Peekskill High School students have been writing to their peers at Instituto de Educacion Secundaria les Gonzalez Allende in Toro, Spain, which is located just north of Madrid.

Hall started the pen pal initiative back in 2010 when she reconnected with a former college friend who is an English teacher in Spain. Together, the two educators arranged the student collaboration.

“Overall, it has been a positive experience for both of our students,” Hall said. “As a class, we brainstorm and talk about what can be shared in their next letter.”

Both groups of students write in English and Spanish. The letters sent from PHS have included introductions and questions for the students’ Spanish counterparts. Some Peekskill students chose to teach phrases in colloquial English in their letters, while others chatted about extracurricular activities, American traditions/holidays, life in Peekskill and much more. Students from Spain have share similar information, such as information about Spanish culture, holidays, festivals and what it is like to live in Toro.