Paris Madrid and Essex

Back in January 2012, Year 9 Language students visited the Europa Centre, in Essex.  Some students were sceptical at first, given that the 45-minute coach ride towards what can only be described as an abandoned looking school building. The students were in for a pleasant surprise once inside.

Paris Madrid and Essex

Back in January 2012, Year 9 Language students visited the Europa Centre, in Essex.  Some students were sceptical at first, given that the 45-minute coach ride towards what can only be described as an abandoned looking school building. The students were in for a pleasant surprise once inside.

The Europa Centre is an old high school building which has been transformed into several different areas, much like that of a shopping precinct. Everything is either French or Spanish, so our students got the opportunity to visit a supermarket, a clothes shop, a post office, travel agent, pharmacy, bank and restaurant all under one roof.

Students were separated into small groups and led through the centre by experienced guides.  They had to work through a series of activities which permitted them to speak solely in either French or Spanish.

At the end of the visit, students took part in some role play and drama, which everyone really enjoyed.

“The experience was very useful.  It felt as though I was in Spain, eating different food, speaking another language and visiting all the foreign shops.”

Year 9 Spanish student.

The students really showed off their French and Spanish skills and staff at the Europa Centre were most impressed.

Ms I. Dua – MFL Department