World Citizen At 2.5 years old

During my stay at El Venado, a family run estancia in Argentina owned by professional polo player Federico Cendoya, I also met ‘Juli’ as we affectionately call him in Spanish or rather Jules-Henri in Flemish and French. At almost 3 years of age Juli can be considered a world citizen thanks to his jetsetter Yummy Mummy Stefanie Verduyn. Their home base is in Belgium but they spend 2 to 3 months a year at El Venado enjoying the estancia, horse riding and playing polo. Additionally, Stefanie travels frequently in search of fashionable accessories and shoes for her chain of boutiques in Belgium. Consequently, Juli has already traveled to Argentina, Morocco, Italy and France.

While JAM’s motto is ‘Never Too Late to Learn’, we concur that it is definitely never too early! From the time that Juli was in his mother’s belly, he listened to Language CDs. Growing up in Belgium, he is exposed to Dutch at home. As a baby, he also had a friend ‘Nelly’ who spoke to him in Russian and read to him Russian Fairy Tales. Most recently, he has started French lessons once a week. During his holidays at El Venado, he is exposed to Spanish and English and consequently, now back in his homeland only speaks to the dog in Spanish :) Having spent time with Juli at El Venado, it was amazing to see how quickly he picked up new Spanish and English vocabulary. His mother Stefanie prioritizes her child’s education and saids “I try to expose Juli as much as I can to other languages and cultures”.

Juli is pictured above in traditional 'Gaucho' attire.

JAM Share it & Spread It!

JAM English Flashcards; Fruit & Vegetables

English Immersion Program

I have spent the last 6 weeks playing polo @ ‘El Venado’ a beautiful 2,500 acre family run estancia owned by professional polo player Federico Cendoya located just two hours outside Buenos Aires on the fertile grasslands of the Argentine Pampas.

During my stay at El Venado I met some very interesting and lovely people. Among them was Antonia Monckton. Antonia grew up on her family farm in England constantly surrounded by visiting guests who were there to learn English and immerse themselves in English culture. Her mother Mary Chapman ran a ‘Total English Immersion Program’ from their lovely home in the English countryside.

Mary Chapman was a primary school teacher and through a friend came into contact with the coach of the Spain Riding Team. The riding team had come to England to train and the coach was having difficulties communicating as he spoke no Spanish and the team members spoke very little English. Antonia’s mother was asked if she would teach the ridding team specifically ridding English vocabulary i.e saddle, stirrups, bridal, canter, gallop, trot etc to facilitate communication between the students and the coach during the riding lessons. She truly enjoyed the experience and decided to carry on thus creating an English Immersion Program. Besides learning the English Language, the guests also had the opportunity to learn English manners and culture. I asked Antonia a few questions about what it was like to grow up in a full house filled with visiting guests:

“It was very interesting to meet so many different people. They were all from different walks of life, backgrounds and culture. They were totally immersed within the family environment. We shared all meals, coffee and teatime with the guests. Breakfast was at 8AM followed by lessons from 9 to 10:30AM. Then the guests had a coffee break with the whole family (Antonia has two older brothers). Then they went back to lessons with Antonia’s mother between 11 to 12:30PM followed by lunch with the whole family. Then it was back to lessons between 2 to 3:30PM followed by an English Tea break. Lessons would resume again until 5:30PM. The guests then had free time to enjoy the farm and many would enjoy horse riding or walks around the property. The guests and the entire family would gather for supper at 8pm.

The guests were from different backgrounds from complete beginners to advance level and many were top management or executives sent on the program by their companies. My mother used scenario and role-playing to facilitate the lessons and would also video tape the students to improve their business English. It was interesting to see the general pattern of all the students. Initially they were very excited and by the 2^nd week they would start to get frustrated. Then shortly there after “it clicks” and you really started to see a huge improvement."

Pictured above is Antonia Monckton playing polo @ El Venado, Argentina