Mrs Crosbie's and Mr Guy's classes travelled yesterday to Creggan Country Park to take part in a day of fun activities. Although this was classed as their summer treat, summer was nowhere to be found! Thankfully the only thing that wasn't dampened was the children's enthusiasm !

Well-an early start this morning-up and at them before the hotel had even started serving breakfast! Now, don't worry everyone, there are loads of little bread and such shops, I didn't go hungry! So it was a tram ride, a Metro ride and then collected by star host Marie again, who delivered me to my destination.  Now, the early start was well and truly worth it....I got to visit two village schools today, the first in Uhinice, with approx. 70 children, and the second in Jinocany, with about 35. Visiting the school in Uhonice reminded me so much of Donemana Primary School-I kid you not, the little village school, was so like our own you wouldn't believe it! Not necessarily in terms of buildings etc, but in the feel and atmosphere within it! Their building was certainly different-it was huge compared to our own....a trend I have seen in them all-the buildings are large and generally offer excellent room for a host of opportunities- for example they all have extra classrooms for after school classes, never mind that they have a separate teacher for after school activities! This school had converted its loft and created two delightful classrooms, full of light, but in this heat, every window was open!

I was grateful again for the services of Susan-a very suitable candidate, being the part time English teacher-who had served as an au pair in Brighton for a year!! She had joined the school this year and was clearly loving her job. Two of the classes were missing in action-they were away on different trips, so I only got a fleeting moment with the jolly Director, she blamed Marie for coming on a day when she was away-but I cannot believe Marie would make any mistakes!

Teaching english involves a great deal of role plays and conversational skills, and the children adopt their roles with relish.....no sign of Pluto today though! The children were all very polite and enthusiastic, even getting my autograph......I can see the demand bringing ebay servers crashing down around the globe! They even have their own star pupils board, just like our own pupil of the month board.-and their's stays up all the time.....they clearly don't have Ryan sticking the pictures up!!!!! Susan was keen to get an e-mail link going with some of our children....I'm sure we could manage that!

Any of you lot who are struggling with your parts of speech in English should take a look at the picture I've included of the parts of speech I spotted in school-at least I think that's what it is...maybe it will help! Look at this picture of the playground as well-I thought is was lovely-but then, how often do we appreciate the wonderful view and setting we have around our own playground....?

The school also housed a kindergarden, and again it was a lovely experience-not just because Susan's son and daughter were there! The time, space, care, and not to mention funding, given to children of this age is really quite astounding compared to our own culture, as educationalists, surely it is not a leap to see the benefits of greater investment at this age should lead to fewer troubles later on......

Susan then took me by car to the Rudna School, to meet with Marie again. The school in Uhonice translated roughly into, 'learning the way of life.' And it was certainly a school which projected a lovely atmosphere. Marie and I then travelled the short distance to Jinocany, a lovely rural village, where we met the warm and friendly Lucie Hartova. Her school accomodated approx. 35 children, and again had a large, old building at its disposal. Again the children were so warm and welcoming, and Lucie went out of her way to provide answers to all my queries and showed me their website, address shown below:

http://www.skolajinocany.cz/ZSaMS_Jinocany/O_nas1.html

There were composite classes in this school, and given the difficulties we have creating them every year, it was interesting to note that they had 1st and 3rd grade children in the same class, and 2nd and 4th grade in another-imagine if we had that.................

We then made the short walk to the nearby Kindergarden-standing in an old building, both it and the school are earmarked for a new building, though interestingly, it is up to the local Council, not the Department of Education, to find the funds to provide this! As an aside, I don't think I've seen a single boring flagstone on this trip-it's all cobble stones,  ordinary footpaths have intricately woven brick work, which would cost you a fortune at home in your drive, never mind on the streets! The kindergarden was another vibrant scene, with the now expected activities and buzz going on-and the beds being laid out in preparation for the snoozes after lunch!!

During our walk back, Lucie admitted she was horrified to think that her son-aged seven-could have had three years of school under his belt if he was back home with us. It does make you wonder what we are doing, simply based on tradition! Lunch was then provided in the Primary School again, and yep, pork made an appearance, however, this time it was deliciously smoked, and accompanied by the brilliant mashed potatoes! Later that day Marie trook me to see some of the new developments in her village of Rudna-there was a beautiful tennis club within the housing developments-why can't our town planners think of things like that!

From Zlicin, I took the Metro back to Prague, then gathered myself for some sightseeing and photographs. Prague is a city where a short walk can turn into a hike very easily-every time you turn a corner you can be surprised by what you meet, and you go a little further-soon enough you are a long way from home! And as for photography, it's like shooting fish in a barrel-everywhere you look there's a perfect scene waiting to be shot!

I headed down through Wenceslas and into the old town and out onto Charles Bridge-a focal point for tourists from across the globe!

From here you get stunning views of the river, and of the castle on the hill in the distance.

Once you cross the bridge there is a short climb to the huge St. Nicholas Church-I'm sure it's not named after my golfing partner on a Saturdy morning, though he is old enough, and I bet this St. Nicholas wasn't as grumpy!!!!!

After St. Nicholas, I climbed and climbed and climbed, trying to reach the Castle, and I began to think it wasn't worth it, until, you turn a corner and this view smacks you in the face!! From this viewpoint you get a blanket of rooftops spreading out before you and it makes the climb worth all the effort!

Then you get to the Castle entrance, and it is again a beautiful building, and the best part is, you get to walk through the entire complex.....imagine getting to wander through the grounds of Buckingham Palace!! Inside the complex there are some stunning views and buildings, many of which you just can't fit into a normal lens shot!

Funnily enough I came across a basilica to St. George and a lovely monument. I also play golf with a George, and this George has trouble enough slaying a little white ball, never mind a fire breathing dragon! I really would recommend the walk through the castle to anyone coming over-it's worth the effort. In the old town there is a clock that is slightly different to the sort of thing we're used to.....imagine trying to teach using this contraption....

Then I made my way back to the hotel, taking in some beautiful night time shots on the way. However, the cost of what started out as a short walk can be felt in the feet and ankles-ouch!

OK OK OK.....before anyone says anything, we came we saw, and we never conquered-fair play Milan-enjoy it.....it's only on loan......

Now that that's out of the way, back to the blogging!

Remember that the pics can be enlarged by clicking on them!

Now, on trying to stand up this morning my little feet wept openly!!!Tramping across a strange city isn't good for the old man's paws!

Visited my third school today, smaller than the others, about 180 children-in an absolutely gorgeous setting on the side of a hill in Prague-in apparently quite an affluent area. The tram ride, followed by Metro, followed by bus, showed the interntional nature of numbers---everyone was doing Sudoku!

The bus journey took me right to the door of Skola Charlotty Masarykove, with a little brook flowing outside-I wonder how long it would take for our Health and Safety folk to fill that in! The caretaker was busy painting the railings, and I was greeted by Lenka Jaklova. We had a long discussion, and I started to get an even clearer picture of the many routes there are for progression in the Czech system. I visited a number of classes throughout the morning-and was always struck-as I had been in the other schools, by how every door was locked behind the teachers-nothing was left to chance!! The children received English lessons throughout the school-and were keen to show off their skills. In the gym there was a badge of the school-complete with horseshoes-with regard to the large horse racing track in the area-Katie eat your heart out, there were lots of horses! However, I'm not sure how much good luck there was floating around, as the horseshoes were upside down!

Now at this stage I got a little homesick......when I looked closely at the English books for the teachig of our language, I got a little reminder of the fluffy thing that was lying at home, counting the sleeps until I return! Now Sophie has cousins across the world-Sipowicz, an New York detective who is partial to doughnuts, Ruffles, the Chief Inspector and legendary Old English (the womble equivalent of Great Uncle Bulgaria), however, she had failed to mention Pluto-the comic book star of the English language in Prague.....from the pictures I hope you can see that Pluto displayed all the typical Old English characteristics!!!

I then got to visit the Kindergarden-pre school is compulsory for all children the year before they start school-although interestingly, remembering that they start school at 6 years old, many parents here seek to postpone school entry for another year!!! Mind you, when I say the Kindergarden, I think I may have wanted to stay as well-apologies to Sally, Noelle and Pearl, but when you see these pictures you may be green with envy. I do not think I've ever seen anything like this for pre-school education, and in NI I'm probably never likely to!!!! This is what it means to value children......if anyone in politics is listening.........Now, not every facility is like this, but it really did take my breath away! The children attend for the full day, and after the lunch time play, you can see the beds laid out for an afternoon's kip. With the size of the portions I have been getting for lunch(Yep, you guessed it, pork and dumplings for lunch today-and more sourkraut!)-I can understand why they need a little shut eye! In the afternoon I got to sit in on an English lesson, conversation skills playing a large part, with different role plays etc taking place. There seems to be a simple philosophy in general Czech education......communicate, then read, then write........compared to our doing all three at once! When you are here, with time to think and compare our own system, we really are overly obsessed with the marking and grading of children-rather than letting them be children......children are allowed the time to explore and develop a sense of wonderment, discovery and enthusiasm.......by P3, we have some children who have already turned off from their education........food for thought me thinks!

Then I made my way back.....bus, tram, metro.......and gathered myself for an evening full of possibilities.....euro cup number 6 was sadly not to be, but, onwards and upwards..........

Right that's it-the old man's feet, ankles and back can take no more-I reckon I've now covered at least half of Prague's old cobbled streets and the body is just saying, "No more!"

Experienced rush hour traffic Prague style today-the first tram I tried to get on was bunged-can't understand how they didn't have room for a little one like myself.........

After taking evasive action-swapping my intended route, jumping on a different tram, to a different metro station, that took me on the same route-I was eventually sorted-anyone who can remember their first time in London, it's like trying to negotiate buses and the underground, but without the help of any English!!!

Settled and on my way-with the heat still almost tropical-I made my way to the Luziny station, where I had a short walk to the Bronzova School. This was a school that also took 6-15 year olds, but was slightly different in that it had a specific remit for the teaching of the English language. It was also a larger school than Rudna, and in a more developed area, within the confines of the city of Prague.

I had a long talk with the Director of the school(Hmmmm I like the sound of Director.....), the deputy director, and the first grade teacher who served as an excellent translator throughout-something she has managed to secure a summer job in taking trips to Sweden-nice work if you can get it!! Similarities between the education systems are all too obvious-the first complaint is, as always, trying to run a school with not enough.......MONEY! For teachers an interesting sidenote is that if a newly qualified teacher gets a job it must be permanent-only if you then move school is there a chance of your contract being temporary.

The school is doing well due to the demand for places at a school which concentrates on the teaching of English. The Director opened the school 18 years ago and has seen the area really develop-there are new buildings sprouting up beyond the original tower blocks, and a lot of foreign nationals are moving into the area and they really value the teaching of English.They too run an extended schools programme after school-but parents must pay for it-and when I told the children the range of activities we offered in school, there was an audible gasp! (Edit:one thing I forgot to mention-they have the services of two educational psychologists for one day every week.....we get four hours per year[though ours is exceptionally good to us!!!], and they have a dentist located in the school for preventative treatments!)

I visited a number of classes, and it was really interesting to note that the older the children got, the more shy and inhibited they became! In the picture you can see a first year class- 6 & 7 year olds, who asked a thousand and one questions! Funny, no-one over here has heard of Van Morrison........In one of the other classes the'Irish question' again came up-if asked tomorrow, I think I've got an answer sorted-"I go home on Saturday, so won't have enough time!!!"

  I had pork again for lunch today-but the children have a choice of three meals every day, one of which is always vegetarian, and there are no free meals and no packed lunches-and they are paid for on a monthly basis.....how Margaret would like that! The Czechtradition is for the largest meal of the day at lunchtime-it is a rare occurance for me not to be able to finish a meal, but this was the second time in two days.....maybe I'm not well.....In the dinner hall I also met two young ladies who were enjoying their lunch-now we have a fine history of twins, so these two caught my attention!

Now those of you who understand addiction, will understand my next folly-when looking at the map of the school, and the route back to my hotel, there was a picture screaming out at me-that of Praha Golf Club! So, after a short metro then Tram ride I was at the bottom of the lane to the club. Now anyone who knows the laneway to Roe Park, this was similar-except uphill and in 30 degrees heat. When this lost soul arrived at the upmarket club, it was not a pretty sight!!! However, clearly they didn't stick rigidly to any admissions policy, and I spent a delightful hour on the balcony recharging my batteries and taking on copious fluids (yes non-alcoholic!) and watching the Czech golfers go through the same rituals over putts, and chips, missed and sank, as golfers from our own wee country! At this stage I realised I am an addict-why didn't I pack my clubs......though I dread to think what Jet2 would have stuck me for with them on board!"

Now for anyone who thinks I'm making the heat bit up I snapped this on the way home-and this was the temperature on the way down-it was one of those afternoons where you knew there was something in the air, and by the time I was near my hotel, the thunder was rumbling in the air and finally the skies opened-I was about to perform my version of singing in the rain, but I think the good folk of Prague are not yet ready! After hibernating for a while, I returned to Wenceslas Square. I'm not really sure what to make of this place-it's the main mecca for tourists, a scene of former revolutions and protests, and more lately a hotspot for pickpockets and other unsavoury activities. However, now I reckon the only Prague folk in the square would appear to be the large police presence and thousands of tourists-shopping in the same shops that can be found in any town in the UK.......Debenhams, Next, Marks and Spencer, Subway etc, they're all here! For me the Old Town of Prague is much more inviting-I'll post a special section of pictures from the area later this week-stunning architecture and a lovely relaxed feel, oh yes, lots of good eating places as well!  I think for now it's time to draw this blog to a close, I have brought a DVD with me of a fan's eye view of a special night in May a few years ago.....'Istanbul:The Movie'....I think I'll give it a whirl in preparation for tomorrow night when we play Man Utd......oh sorry, that's right it's Milan, Utd of course are out-sorry Ryan!

(Remember to click on the pics for a better view!)

Greetings everyone from a very hot and a very sticky Prague-it's over thirty degrees and I'm wilting badly in the heat! Got in safely last night-though Jet2's baggage policy leaves a great deal to be desired-apologies to Ivor Parkhill who I didn't have time to talk to at the airport, but I nearly missed the flight!!!

My wonderful host Marie Sedmikova went out of her way to meet me at the airport, where we took a bus for a short while, then got the metro train nearer to the city centre, then had a tram ride to my hotel.....planes, trains and automobiles all in a short space of time!!!!

I immediately threw myself into Prague culture.....and had a KFC!

What was I to do, it was late, I walked out of my hotel and there it was, big red letters, how could I refuse!!

Next morning it was up early and  on my way to school-a tram ride and then a metro ride-about an hour in total, and Marie again picked me up at Zlicin train station, for a short car ride to Rudna school.

Rudna is a well accomodated school, with a large site and a blend of old and new building. It is a school within the growth of a new satellite town, so they are fighting the general Czech trend of falling enrolment-even here I can't escape those words!!!!!

The first thing that is striking as you enter the school is the huge reptile tanks at the entrance, housing snakes, lizards etc-it's that big Timothy could live in it for a week!

Just as in Lithuania, I was immediately impressed by the warmth of welcome I received, and the openness of the children. Their efforts in speaking english really put our language skills to shame!

Now the first major difference that I came across, and probably the most relevant, is that children here do not start school until they are 6 years old-Rudna school children from 6-15 years old. Now if you think this is crazy, compared to us starting at 4, take a look at what was on the board for these children at the end of their first year in school (They work terms the same as ourselves!) The reasoning is that if children are allowed to develop at their own pace before starting formal education too early, then they will be ready to take off at a greater pace-this is the concept underpinning our new curriculum, and the reason I'm here-from what I have seen, I am a solid convert!

The children are just like our children-no different-still love their sport, still just fun loving creatures! They do have a skateboard park just outside the school, but they still like their football too!

I visited a number of different classes-and got quite a grilling from the children-then came the big question-how do you explain the history of N.Ireland????? Yikes-where do we start! Time for lunch I think!

Lunch was a treat-some dumplings and pork-which were lovely, but they came with sourkraut.....if anyone even hears Heather mention the word let me know-she will be flogged for even thinking it, come to think of it, maybe that should be reserved as a punishment for naughty kids-a double helping of sourkraut!!!!!!

After saying goodbye to the school, I thought it would be a wise move to get into the centre of Prague-but in this heat, boy was I wrong! Humping my bag round there whilst being remotely dressed up-i.e. without shorts was not a good idea-nothing else for it, but ice cream was prescribed!!!! Thankfully, Prague is not short of wonderful places to pick up snacks and desserts. Suitably replenished, I struggled back to the hotel and got the shorts on-a great relief for me-whether the rest of the Prague population was ready for it, it's not for me to say!!

In the evening I took a long walk-feet were now beginning to throb mildly! Through Wenceslas Square, down through the old town, and then onto Charles Bridge-no camera with me, as at this stage-it was too much hassle to carry anything! However, it is too beautiful to leave here without pictures of, the bridge is almost 650 years old I have been told, and it is a wonderful sight-I was there just as the sun was setting behind the castle-even though I think the rest of Europe was also on the bridge, it wasn't spoilt!

 Back in my room now, having of course sought out an appropriate sports bar to watch the Champions League Final in on Wednesday night-haven't seen a Chelsea shirt anywhere! Smart people the Czechs!!! Though Peter Cech has been on a few noticeboards.......don't they remember the semi final and how Pepe showed who was the best keeper..............the last paragraph is especially for Andrew, hope he's coping OK without me!

More tomorrow-I've got 24 and NYPD Blue to watch in Czech now.......!