During the first week of February, 43 students from Year 2 of Secondary School took part in a language immersion trip to Westgate-on-Sea, a charming seaside town located in the county of Kent, in the south-east of England.
As an educational institution, we are aware of the many academic and personal benefits of taking part in an immersion trip abroad. The students put their language skills into practice, but they also have the opportunity to experience firsthand the customs, traditions, and ways of life in another country, which allows them to develop greater open-mindedness and tolerance towards cultural differences. Furthermore, although supported by their teachers and accompanied by their classmates, they step out of their home comforts and face various situations on their own.
The programme offered to the students was designed to provide them with a complete experience. In the morning, they attended English lessons tailored to their level, and in the afternoon, they took part in different workshops and activities, all of which were conducted in English and prepared to ensure fun while allowing them to continue practising, learning, acquiring, and developing several skills. On Tuesday afternoon, we visited Canterbury, a historic city located in the south-east of England, which is well known for its rich history, its impressive cathedral, and its significance in British culture. On Thursday, we had the opportunity to spend the whole day in the beautiful city of London—definitely a day to remember.
To ensure complete immersion, students stayed with local host families. While this can be challenging at first, it guarantees a 100% English-speaking environment and offers valuable opportunities for personal growth. Living with native speakers allows students to navigate real-life situations, which builds their independence, confidence, and maturity.
The language immersion trip is yet another example of the importance we place on languages in our school, and we will continue working with enthusiasm to offer the best education to our students.
