I can easily say my ACLE experience was by far the highlight of my summer. Every minute of my Italian experience was packed with adventure and excitement. I remember first arriving at Orientation and wasn’t too sure what to expect, also a bit nervous as it was my first time travelling alone. Within minutes of arriving and meeting everyone, instantly I knew I was going to have the best time and a life changing summer. During the first week, I shared so many laughs with people I had any just met and not knowing I would form friendships that would last forever. Still to this day, I keep in touch with many of the other trainee tutors from Orientation and even more so planned to meet up with many tutors I met whilst on camp. I can’t honestly recall a day which didn’t consist of endless laughs and ongoing fun and excitement. Not only have I made friends for life, but truly believe this experience has allowed me to grow as an individual and open my eyes to a whole new culture. Stopping with host families was another new and exciting experience, which I had never done before and by the end of the week you find yourself growing attached and not wanting to leave. I still wrote to one of my host families and they want me to go back to visit them near Christmas time. Not only did I grow as an individual but formed friendships and contacts which will last forever no matter how far across the world we are! Of course, the most significant experience was working with the young Italian children and being able to inspire them with my knowledge and expertise given to me during orientation and see them grow throughout the week. The programme is amazing and has such a massive impact on the children’s English all delivered through fun, exciting and creative material which above all is fun to teach. I had the best 3 weeks, and already planning for my next summer with ACLE!
Joshua Batty
ACLE Tutor 2019