Spanish Teachers Impressed by Innovative Adult Education at Crescendo CVO 25/05/2025

From May 7 to 14, Crescendo CVO welcomed three teachers from EOI Alcalá de Guadaíra in Alcalá de Guadaíra (Seville) as part of an Erasmus+ exchange project.

Their visit focused on language education and digitalization, two current topics that are not only essential for adults’ personal and professional development but also align perfectly with the mission of adult education: lifelong and life-wide learning.

The teachers held meetings and sessions with directors, language coordinators, teachers, ICT specialists, and attended a wide range of lessons, including online classes.

The Spanish colleagues were impressed by the broad range of partnerships that Crescendo CVO engages in, as well as the center’s openness to the community. Activities such as running events, health fairs, heritage days, and film festivals show how learning extends beyond the classroom. “It is inspiring to see how teachers use the city as a learning laboratory,” said the director, Manuel Núñez Barral.

What stood out most was how Crescendo CVO integrates societal themes such as sustainability, circular thinking, and inclusion into education. This approach makes learning not only more relevant but also richer and more meaningful.

Lessons for the Future

The Spanish teachers took several insights home. They were particularly impressed by the lesson structure, where learners attend one class per week over an extended period. “This approach lowers the barrier for adults to learn a language, as it is easier to combine with work and family,” said Ángel Milla Muñoz, English teacher.

They also appreciated the evaluation system. Unlike the formal final exam model they are used to, they valued Crescendo CVO’s informal and integrated assessment. “It creates a relaxed learning environment where learners feel freer to speak and experiment,” said Antonia Padilla Romero, English teacher. The heterogeneous composition of the classes also contributes to engaging interactions and cross-pollination among learners.

Learning Together about AI and Native Speakers

During the visit, the role of artificial intelligence in language education was also discussed. The potential to offer extra practice opportunities via apps and provide personalized feedback was enthusiastically explored.

Finally, there was mutual admiration: Crescendo CVO colleagues were impressed by the structured system in Seville, where native speakers are actively involved in language education across successive lessons. “This is extremely enriching for learners,” said Rocio Lopez, language coordinator at Crescendo CVO. “We want to explore how we can involve native speakers even more in our own classes, for example as volunteers in conversation sessions.”

The Erasmus+ visit was an inspiring exchange of ideas, practices, and future visions—a great example of how international cooperation strengthens education.