We hear from Cécile Coudert, French teacher at St Albans School in Hertfordshire, and her pupils about what happened on their trip to the Loire Valley in France.
Hearing a ‘Bonjour!’ outside the classroom or cobbling together a phrase to ask for ‘un croissant, s’il vous plaît’ in a French bakery is a special way to experience the importance of learning a language.
With this aim in mind, 30 of our Third Form (Year 9) and Fourth Form (Year 10) pupils experienced an action-packed, five-day cultural immersion trip to the Loire Valley in France.
Pupils kicked off their trip at the science-themed Futuroscope Park. In this amusement park, the future consists of rollercoasters, upside-down houses, and aquatic light shows, all of which appeared to be run by giant buck-toothed rabbits. Pupils loved spending time in this alternate universe, lying on the floor to take photos of the furniture on the ceiling and happily screaming as they rounded yet another bend on the Destination Mars ride.
The following day saw pupils transported to the past, with a visit to the beautiful Château de Chenonceau, where they admired the stunning interiors and iconic checkered hallways. From here the trip took a culinary turn; no cultural immersion trip to France would be complete without sampling some buttery French pastries.
Pupils visited the famous Pâtisserie Chocolaterie Bigot in Amboise and learnt about the production of chocolate, a lesson fully appreciated by the tasting of croissant and home-made chocolate afterwards. They ended the day unwinding in the Aquarium de Touraine, traversing through transparent tunnels of water.
On the final day, pupils visited the Musée du Macaron in Montmorillon. After a detailed demonstration and explanation of how macarons are made, pupils could sample and purchase the various colourful delicacies. They then had a few sunny hours in the coastal city of La Rochelle, exploring the old harbour and medieval houses.
“I experienced a more laid-back and relaxed approach with the pupils whilst still teaching them”
Cécile Coudert, French teacher at St Albans School
This trip was a perfect way to introduce the idea of French heritage and to raise pupils’ interest in cultural differences, such as trying French traditional food.
I experienced a more laid-back and relaxed approach with the pupils whilst still teaching them (I had a lot of conversations with pupils about the cultural questions they had, and they shared their reflections on the activities they had just done). The trip provided a varied presentation of France through eclectic yet fun activities which will create lasting memories for our pupils, boost their interest in the subject and hopefully encourage Third Form (Year 9) pupils to pick the subject at GCSE.
What did the pupils think?
Daniel, from Third Form, said: “The French trip was something that I will always look back on fondly, because it was such an enjoyable opportunity to explore the area with my friends and develop my French along the way.
“I think that these trips afford real value not only in developing friendships, but also learning more about the culture of other regions. The trip offered amazing sensory experiences in Futuroscope, like immersive and mind-bending rides, or a richness of flavour tasting macarons and chocolate, or the stunning views of an incredible Château.
“It was a chance to dip my toes in the rich culture of France, and I got the opportunity to try foods that I never otherwise would. It was a truly enriching experience and very much an enjoyable one. The trip also offered more confidence in listening to and speaking French, and I learnt several new words along the way.”
Jacob from Third Form agreed that the trip was great for practising his French speaking skills, and said that he was able to build valuable confidence.
He added: “This trip was the first time I travelled abroad with the school. It was a really fantastic opportunity to get to know my fellow students better as I only joined in the Third form. We were able to practise our French reading, listening, writing and oral skills whilst in France which are all elements of the French GCSE exam.
“School trips abroad are beneficial as they give pupils the opportunity to immerse themselves in different cultures and customs.”
Jacob from Third Form
“One of my highlights was the excursion to the Château de Chenonceau. This fairytale castle spans the fast-flowing River Cher below. We spent the morning exploring both the interior and extensive grounds. Inside, there was an array of rooms, including the royal bed chambers, the breathtaking banquet hall, and the library.
“School trips abroad are beneficial as they give pupils the opportunity to immerse themselves in different cultures and customs. Pupils get the chance to interact with French native speakers and gain valuable confidence and experience in oral skills. Furthermore, it is a chance to get to know teachers better outside the school environment.”
