October 17th, 2025

In a significant cross-curricular initiative, all sixth grade students of Primaria (Educación Básica Integrada) participated in an immersive, English-language tour of Montevideo on October 6, 8, and 10. Accompanied by their English teachers, the English Coordinator and the Tour Guide Milto de Castro, former teacher in our Departamento de Secundaria, the children leveraged the language not as an abstract subject, but as a dynamic tool for discovery within a real-world setting.

The educational tour covered central historical and architectural landmarks, including  Monumento a la Carreta, Parque Batlle, Estadio Centenario, Obelisco, Avenida 18 de Julio, Plaza Independencia, Palacio Estévez, Puerta de la Ciudadela, Teatro Solís, Peatonal Sarandí, Cabildo de Montevideo, Plaza Matriz, and Palacio Legislativo.

Contextualized Learning and Fluency

This shift to contextualized learning is crucial for supporting language acquisition. When students must use English to identify landmarks, ask questions, and understand historical facts, the vocabulary and grammar instantly become functionally relevant. This immersion significantly boosts their confidence and develops their ability to process information spontaneously, a skill essential for achieving true fluency.

Furthermore, the tour acts as a direct avenue to intercultural education and critical thinking. Engaging with urban and historical narratives in English requires some degree of cognitive flexibility and concentration, actively developing their critical listening skills. The setting encourages students to formulate complex questions and synthesize information on the spot, ensuring the experience is active and meaningful.

Revaluing the City with Tourist Eyes

Beyond linguistic competence, the activity offered a special opportunity to know the city from a new perspective. By acting as tourists in their own environment, students were able to revalue the architecture, history, and culture of Montevideo. This exercise in active observation not only fosters a deeper sense of cultural appreciation, but also strengthens their sense of belonging and civic responsibility toward the city they inhabit.

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