Students Experience French Culture on Trip to Paris

11 March 2014

A group of A Level Language students recently embarked on an inspiring trip to Paris to immerse themselves in French culture.

During the three days the students enjoyed a range of exciting experiences including a visit of the Lycée Simone Weil to meet with local French students and taking historical walking quests in ‘The Marais’ near Bastille.

Days were filled with visits to iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower; the Montmartre, and the Castle of Versailles, including a visit to the park of Versailles by little train and to Marie-Antoinette’s house. They took a walk down the Champs Elysées from the Arc de Triomphe and visited the famous designer stores and took a tour of the Seine River by Batobus from the Champs Elysées around the Iles de la Cité with a view of Paris, including the iconic monument ‘Notre Dame.’ Students also took a guided tour of the main masterpieces of the Louvre - the most famous art museum in France.

In the evenings students visited a contemporary circus and theatre show ‘Tetrakai’ at the Parc de la Villette with local French students, took a trip to the Metro Opera to view a film on the history of the city and tasted the local cuisine in Parisian restaurants.

On top of this a visit to the food market in Beauveau, place d’Aligre, and a cooking master class meant students were really able to experience true French cuisine!

The students will have the advantage of being able to apply the knowledge gained during the trip in their forthcoming exams.

Viviane Ouvradou, Teacher of French at The Sixth Form College, said: “It was lovely to see students forming long lasting friendships with local students at Lycée Simone Weil, after taking a walking tour of the Marais and attending a contemporary circus show, ‘Tetrakai’, together.

Students were amazed by the views of the Eiffel Tower just as the sun was setting on Paris and let’s not forget experiencing the French cuisine! The most adventurous students sampled Escargo, with mixed appreciations and everyone happily joined in with the cooking master class with the help of a French American chef. We had great fun making chicken and cereal meteorites, beef samosas, passion fruit cheesecake and chocolate mousse.

Students were able to gain invaluable experience to practise the language skills they are learning in class first hand and get a true understanding of French culture. It was certainly an event-packed trip, which left students feeling happy that they had really experienced something different and unforgettable.”

The Sixth Form College organises dozens of overseas and UK-wide educational trips each year, reinforcing the classroom teaching and giving students the opportunity to expand their horizons. Students described the trip as a great experience which has improved their confidence with the French Language.

Results for French last year at The Sixth Form College were in the top 1% nationally. If you are interested in studying Modern Foreign Language at The Sixth form College, find the course information here.

Check out images from the trip and find out what our students thought below!

Phoebe Harrison, 17, said: “I enjoyed seeing all the sights and submerging myself in French Culture. The trip has helped me with my pronunciation and understanding of the language.”

Shaun Kelly, 18, said: “The trip has boosted my confidence and also improved my pronunciation of common French words. It has allowed me to meet French teenagers and practice my language skills, without this trip I would not have been able to do this.”

Shannon Brooks-Lee, 19, said: “I loved every single moment of being in Paris and I’ve come back feeling more confident and positive in my French speaking ability. I’ve made loads of great friends and feel culturally enriched.”

Josh Barlow, 17, said: “I have gained motivation to try my hardest because I have a desire to return and speak French fluently. It was also great to be able to get advice from the French students and the A2 level students about how to use the different tenses.”

Sophie Pigo, 18, said: “Meeting and interacting with students from the French College greatly helped me with my speaking skills as well as listening to others speak French too. I was able to learn more about French culture which I think will really help me with my studies.”