“My ideal classroom would come with an electronic space we would get into through computers on each desk. Via the computer we would work on the writing in the space and all the books would be in its memory and we wouldn't have to buy them. The chairs could do with being more comfortable, as the ones we have now hurt our backs.”

Vanerasa Balado, 3 ESO, IES Meixueiro ( Vigo) ( translated from Spanish)

“Let the classroom be wall-to-wall carpeted with full air-conditioning. Let there be basins for washing our hands in. We should be able to paint on the walls and the windows should be of smoked glass.”

Ricardo Estevez, 3 ESO, IES Meixueiro ( Vigo) ( translated from Spanish)

“I'd like it to be a classroom that is not beautiful, but well looked after with nothing broken or drawn on ….”

Bibiana Garcia, 3 ESO, IES Meixueiro ( Vigo) ( translated from Spanish)

“My ideal classroom would have loads of windows looking out onto different parts of the school. I'd also like there to be books and encyclopaedias in the classroom for us to freely use and then put down. I'd like there to be lockers in the classroom we could keep clothing and books we don't need. It would be good if there were three or four computers around so we could look things up in electronic encyclopaedias.”

Gustavo A. Cedrun, 3ESO. IES Meixueiro ( Vigo) (translated from Galician)

“The classroom has to be more colourful. I don't like our classrooms all green or brown, and in the best case, white. I think they can let us paint the class with colours and things we like. In my opinion classrooms should be warmer and then all students will like to go to school.”

Isabel Paz Johnstone, COU ( l8-l9 yrs old) IES Alexandre Boveda ( Vigo) (English original)

“Just a class in which you don't have to watch the clock, wondering if the end is near. And just a teacher who doesn't make you suffer. That's all and that's enough.”

Sonia Gonzalez, Escola Oficial de Idiomas ( takes people on intensive courses from age l6 to l00) , (Lugo) (English original )

"My ideal class would be one where you could learn, realise that you are learning and enjoy it at the same time, having an open relationship with your classmates and teacher too, without feeling embarrassed if you don't know something or if you make a silly mistake.”

Maryan Nunez, Ecola Oficial de Idiomas ( Lugo) (English original)

The question IDEAS will ask students in the next issue is “What would your ideal teacher be like?”

Teaching note: you could ask your class to write about “ My ideal classroom” and then offer them the above readings to compare with their texts