In May, Mr Geraghty travelled to Nantes to visit Blanche de Castille school. The visit provided an excellent opportunity to experience the French education system and observe the school’s strong focus on modern foreign languages, particularly English, German, and Spanish. Throughout the visit, languages were clearly valued not just as academic subjects, but as essential skills for communication and cultural understanding.

Mr Geraghty took part in a variety of engaging and interactive lessons. In one English class with teacher Julien, students became “FBI agents” and interviewed teachers in English to create identity profiles, developing speaking and listening skills in a fun and natural way. In another lesson, students practised the past tense by discussing teachers’ summer holidays.

He also visited the school’s International stream, where students study English at an advanced level. Many students had lived abroad, came from bilingual families, or had a strong interest in English, and their fluency and confidence were highly impressive. Lessons with teachers Annabel and Caroline highlighted both the high standard of English teaching and the warm, supportive atmosphere within the school.

The visit also included lively Spanish and German lessons. In Spanish, students learned vocabulary linked to food, cooking, and the home while creating recipe video projects in Spanish. In German, students practised simple conversational language through songs, games, and interactive activities.

Overall, the visit demonstrated the value of practical, interactive language teaching and provided many ideas that can now be shared within our own school community.