MFL Faculty’s Easter Adventures in Germany and France
During the Easter holiday, the Modern Foreign Language (MFL) Department participated in a French Exchange to Nantes and a German Exchange to Emden. Both trips were hugely successful. Head of German, Mr Dan Beer and Head of MFL, Mr Andrew Hutchinson have shared reports about both trips:
Worcester – Emden Exchange 2024
Year Nine and Ten pupils participated in a new German Exchange to the town of Emden in North-West Germany. Having been welcomed by the Mayor, we took the opportunity to visit the city of Bremen and the harbour at Greetsiel, where we had some entertaining and informative tours in both German and English. Despite the torrential rain, all participants maintained good spirits until Saturday, when the sun started to shine. The weekend allowed everyone to enjoy a wide range of activities with their partners.
The last full day was the highlight of the trip. We took a ferry to the lovely nearby island at Borkum, where we were able to explore the coastline and enjoy a final ice cream with our German partners. In the evening, the German school kindly allowed us the use of their kitchen to make some pizzas with our new friends and we all said our farewells. We look forward to greeting the staff and pupils of the JAG school when they join us here at RGS in June.
Year Ten pupil, Thomas, commented: “I enjoyed many different aspects of the German Exchange, including the trip to the island, going around Bremen, and kayaking and cycling at the weekend. I also enjoyed meeting my host family and making new friends.”
Year Ten pupil, Amelia, also commented: “I found it extremely interesting to find out about everyday life in Germany, as well as having the opportunity to progress my language skills. It was fun to meet with the German exchange partners after activities and I feel I have made some good friends as a result.”
Dr Daniel Beer, Assistant Head of Modern Foreign Languages
WORCESTER – Nantes EXCHANGE 2024
After a four-year hiatus, the French Exchange to Nantes was back this year!
Our first day of French school at Externat de Chavagnes in Nantes, planned to start at a bleary 8am, was postponed for two hours, following a few issues that morning. Despite the late arrival at Nantes on Friday, the pupils’ host parents whisked them off for action-packed weekends to help our merry band acclimatise to their French lifestyle. Top destinations included beach houses, go-karting, even Paris! All exchange participants were warmly welcomed into their host family, quickly becoming part of their daily lives.
With Monday came French school and discovering Nantes. RGS pupils learned Physics in French, assisted with Chinese lessons, and gave presentations (in English) in Geography. After school we hopped on one of the regular transport links to explore Nantes, delving into its history at the Chateau des Ducs de Bretagne, jumping on the moon at Île de Nantes’ interactive art installations or taking a trip back to our childhood whilst riding the Jules Verne inspired grand carrousel. Not even Nantes’ persistent rain could dampen our excursion to the Tuscan-themed town of Clisson, though perhaps everyone was buoyed by the promise of a birthday crêpe meal in the afternoon. There are worse places to turn 15. For many, Thursday afternoon’s shopping extravaganza was the highlight, as we indulged in the fineries of top French chocolatiers or for some buying a top from Bershka you can’t get in Birmingham!
And so we headed off on Friday morning, screens at the ready to numb the delays that hit every flight and train. Despite efforts by radicals, the weather and transport to dampen their spirits, RGS pupils displayed the friendly, adaptable, positive character for which they are known, bonding brilliantly as a group and providing great entertainment to me and Miss John. I think they might have even spoken a bit of French!
Mr Andrew Hutchinson, Head of Modern Foreign Languages
