Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

Martha Corbett-Baugh (right) has words of encouragement and congratulations for (from left) Taneisha Ingleton, Ramonia Smith (partially hidden), Nickiesha McGregor and Soraya Barnes; all Spanish teachers who went to Chile as part of a study programme. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

It was a two-pronged celebration for Chileans and Jamaicans on Monday as Chilean Ambassador Alfonso Silva and wife Ada hosted their country's national day reception.

With all the diplomats saying goodbye recently (with a few more to come), the evening also provided the chance to say welcome back to 13 Spanish teachers who were the first batch to go to Chile where they participated in a programme to enhance their skills in teaching the language.

During the six-week programme, the teachers observed Chilean counterparts teaching English as a second language for their people.

The Jamaican educators hope to use the methods and practices they learned to help local students grasp the foreign language.

"I wanted to experience the culture plus the education system in Chile is very good," said Tesha Green-Hamilton, teacher at Calabar High. "I've already started employing some of the methods, using a more communicative approach," she added. Christopher Brown, the only male teacher was impressed with the way the programme was run.

Extensive methodology

"Everything was in Spanish which I really liked," he said. He was also awed by the extensive methodology that he saw the Chilean teachers use.

The programme's aim is to spread the Spanish language even more across the island. The programme is a fulfilment of an initiative that Ambassador Silva had endeavoured to create during his posting. Coupled with the fact that the people of the South American land were celebrating 196 years of independence, it was ample time to break out fine Chilean wine and toast the successes.

Veteran entertainer Keith Lyn then performed some of his old hits along with some Spanish favourites like "La Bamba". A few guests including the Ambassador and Mrs. Silva showed their dance moves to the soft Latin music that was also played during the evening.

Among the guests Capt. Chris Annamunthodo, Juan Carlos Espinola, Guillermo Hernandez from the Cuban embassy, British High Commissioner Jeremy Cresswell and Dr. Barbara Munske, Deputy British High Commissioner Paul Nicolopulo and wife Kareen, Peruvian Ambassador Luis Sandiga, his First Secretary Francisco Tenya, Chief Justice Lensley Wolfe, Shorna-Kay Richards, Charles and Lisa Johnstone, Hugh and Ouida Dunphy, Dominican Republic Ambassador Filomena Navarro and daughter Aurora and Peter and Donnia Bovell.