Dear Amazonas Community,
My name is Amy Watson and I am more than happy to introduce myself as this year’s volunteer for non-formal activities at Udruga Amazonas within the European Solidarity Corps program.
Alongside my job of teaching language courses in German and English, I am also responsible for the monthly blog articles here on the Amazonas website…so be prepared to read my name a few more times until mid-August, when my volunteering journey will come to an end.
In these articles I will not only share the Amazonas reports, but also talk about important days that represent what we as an organization stand for, such as the International Day of Tolerance, Volunteering or Erasmus opportunities, to name only a few.
I am excited to take you on this journey with me! So lean back, grab a coffee and enjoy the first Amazonas report of 2025/-2026!
Our First Week of Language Classes – A promising start
This past week marked the beginning of our volunteer-led language courses at Udruga Amazonas. As volunteers, our goal is to create a relaxed and welcoming environment where people can explore new languages, share stories, and connect through culture— which was exactly the kind of progress we were excited to see from the very first lesson.
German and English classes are held by me – Amy Watson, while our Capoeira volunteer Maite Pellegrino is teaching the Spanish classes.
Small But Effective: The German Class
The German class may be small in size, but it’s big in energy and motivation. The group is made up entirely of students, who joined the course with a basic understanding of German already. That allowed us to dive right into more advanced exercises and vocabulary. The learners are fast and enthusiastic, which made teaching a real pleasure…and perhaps a bit more of a challenge😉
We practiced speaking through games and conversations in different settings and it was clear from the start… this group is ready to take their German to the next level!
Talk to connect: The English Group
The English class had a very enthusiastic and friendly vibe from the start, proving that you are never too old to advance your skills. This class is less about grammar and more about real conversation. We shared thoughts about traditions, holidays, and life in different countries, all while adding new vocabulary and building up confidence in speaking. The relaxed atmosphere helped everyone feel comfortable jumping right in—Not only the participants who knew one another from previous years but also the new faces we got to welcome to the class. It felt more like chatting with friends than sitting in a classroom, which is exactly the kind of space we hoped to create.
Starting Fresh: The Spanish Course
Our fellow volunteer, Maite, kicked off the Spanish course, starting right at the basics. Through engaging activities, she introduced her students to first Spanish words, numbers and the culture. The cultural aspect is of great interest to the many university students attending her class, who are planning on doing an Erasmus program in Spain throughout the next year.
The enthusiasm of the students turns the little space of the library into an energized classroom filled with motivation and a genuine eagerness to learn.
In the upcoming lessons Maite will be focusing on the participants interests, such as daily conversation, more cultural insight and the Spanish history.
Learning Through Fun and Culture
Across the courses, we use games, group work, and cultural input to keep things interesting. Because these classes are unofficial and voluntary, there’s no pressure—just the joy of learning something new in a supportive group.
It’s been a fantastic first week, full of laughter, curiosity, and community spirit. We’re already looking forward to the next sessions and all the great moments that are yet to come.
Stay tuned for more updates from our language journey!
Amy Watson
