MORóN AIR BASE, SPAIN -- U.S. Marines with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa 19.2, Marine Forces Europe and Africa, participated in a community relations event with students from La Inmaculada charter school on Moron Air Base, Spain, July 2, 2019.
During the event, the Marines played various American games with the students such as cornhole, softball, and football. Along with teaching the new games, the Marines were able to assist the students in honing their English-language fluency as they practiced their newly-learned sports skills.
“Hosting community relations events lets the community know that we are here and able to help benefit them,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class William Brazell, a religious program specialist with SPMAGTF-CR-AF 19.2. “It shows that we are not only willing to work with their military, but also with community members out in town.”
For the past four consecutive years, students have visited to the base during the school summer camp to participate in different sports and activities with the military members. By welcoming the students again, it allowed them to become fully immersed in the English language by interacting with native speakers.
“It’s a great opportunity for the students to come to the base and interact with the Marines, because they become immersed in the English context with the Americans,” said Chelo Cuellar Garcia, a teacher at La Inmaculada. “At the end of the camp, the goal is for the students to be able to speak English during fun activities.”
Throughout Spain and some other European countries, it is a requirement for students to learn a second language before graduating a university and obtaining their degree.
“Our school is offers a bilingual program, so this summer camp helps reinforce the development of their second language,” said Garcia. “Having native speakers of the language so close to our town is great for the students because it forces them to figure out what to say, and become better speakers in that second language.”