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French Encounters Language Field Trip for Schools

Planning a field trip? Abroad? To France? What provisions are you making to ensure your pupils will really have the opportunity to practise the language they’ve been learning in class? French Encounters offers just such an opportunity, so children interact continuously with the inhabitants of rural Normandy.

French Encounters was established nearly twenty years ago by two bi-lingual ex-teachers in an effort to practise what they had preached for many years in schools and colleges. By taking groups of school children, aged between 10 and 13 years, for a full week’s residential visit to a château in Normandy, French is given context, reality and usefulness. Our main focus is on practical linguistic activities, assignments and excursions. Children speak to French people in France and experience French life and culture as it is should be experienced, all within that essential prerequisite, a safe and secure environment.

The integrated cross-curricular programme is tailor-made to enhance all aspects of the learning process and historians, geographers, art and design and English teachers, as well as teachers of French find the experience reassuringly productive and effective. Even the personal and social development of young people is cultivated as an ‘added value’ of the experience.

The evidence of the effectiveness and success of the programme is demonstrated by the enjoyment of the many thousands of children who have passed through our hands. Indeed, the recommendations from participant schools show pupil francophobes becoming pupil francophiles within the week, returning to school, not just ready to learn more, but to do so enthusiastically.
 

	“I had a really great time and learned loads . . . . I’d recommend you to everyone”    -pupil Hazelwood School, Oxted
	“I’ve learned not to be embarrassed and had a great time talking to people in the market”    -pupil Beaumont School, St Albans
	“The food was much better than at school!”    -anon
	“The animateurs were fantastic and made the coach journeys fun. We learned lots of things about France too.”    -pupil Queenswood School, Potters Bar
	“If you’re looking for a stress-free school field trip with plenty of learning and just as much play, then give yourself a break and let French Encounters do the worrying”    -Principal, St Hilda’s School, Harpenden
	“We’ve been taking pupils to France with French Encounters for many years and we would never consider going with anyone else”    -Group Leader, St Mary’s School, Colchester
	“I never fail to be astonished by the impact this experience has on our students”    -Group Leader, Farnborough Hill School, Farnborough

The help and support of a resident French Encounters team is on hand at all times to smooth the path of all participants. The French speaking team, comprising a graduate linguist as Directrice who oversees the whole operation and the young ‘animateurs’ who animate and entertain, relishes the challenge of turning the obviously reluctant into the ‘raring to go’! They sit with children during ‘family’ meals encouraging and stimulating French conversation.

French Encounters is, nevertheless, also dedicated to putting the fun back into learning a modern foreign language. The eagerness and enjoyment shown for interviews and all manner of other transactions with local inhabitants testifies to the significance of our ‘fun factor’. Up to 160 pupils and their accompanying adults can be accommodated at our two centres. The programme is genuinely inclusive, covering all transport, full board accommodation, visits to museums, excursions, educational materials, study packs, daily and evening activities, insurances and, of course, the services of the French Encounters team at all times during the week. Nothing is left to chance.

Each year we employ British post A level GAP year students as our animateurs to animate and supervise the programme. We’re always looking for enthusiastic and energetic young people to take up this challenge and welcome applications from any young people studying French at A- level.

We also have opportunities for graduates each year on short term full-time contracts to join us as Directrices for the season. Obviously, accurate and fluent French is essential as are stamina, humour and commitment. Applications are welcomed at any time.
 

“I experienced a French Encounter with my school, St Dominic’s when I was 12. I went back to work as an animateur when I was 18 in my GAP year. I completed my degree last year and now I’ve come back again to work as a Directrice. French Encounters must be doing something right!”   -Directrice French Encounters 2004

As long as French Encounters remains a small family concern, its high standards and personal attention to detail will remain too.

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