Château de la Baudonnière language immersion case study
Bishop’s Stortford College French trip
What the students from Bishop’s Stortford College got up to at our French language immersion centre in Normandy
What the students from Bishop’s Stortford College got up to at our French language immersion centre in Normandy
“The Château trip is great for students to gain context about the language they are learning, to improve vocabulary and confidence in using new verbs and sentences. The school never struggles to get staff to work their holiday for a Château trip, which says it all really.”
"It was my thirteenth visit to the Château on a school trip because it is a unique place for students to practise their language skills, to improve their vocabulary and to gain confidence in using new verbs and sentences, whilst taking part in a range of activities and supported by a brilliant team of animateurs.
The facilities are amazing, including the Climbing Wall where students learn more vocabulary and grammar throughout the activity. If they want to get down, they have to say it in French. The Assault Course is a unique activity that you will only find at the Château !! The school initiates all new teachers in their first year at the Château to take part. The students love the chance to get very muddy and have fun whilst still learning French along the way. It’s also a great photo opportunity for the students to send home pictures to parents.
Breadmaking is a great indoor activity, developing French conversation and singing songs to learn new vocabulary. Archery and Aeroball are also great activities where students use their numeracy in French throughout the activity, constant learning whilst having fun!
We also undertake a number of off-site visits, including the French Market Mission at Vire, a great opportunity for students to gain confidence whilst practising different ways to communicate what they would like to say. The market is also a safe environment for students to practise their French and buy gifts for family and friends.
The school has also recently started visiting the Zoo de Champrepus. With boards in French and English, this is a lovely outdoor activity for the students, with lots of vocabulary which they may never have come across before.
All the activities and visits are supported by the Château's team of animateurs who really make the trip, as well as Darren and Lotta who are the Château ! It’s like a big family."
The accommodation is perfect for the group and teachers tend to get singles which is great but not expected every year!! We stayed in the Pavilion which is a newer building and great for the size of our group.
The food is always good and the catering staff understand that not all students can / will eat everything. They cater for all allergies and provide a variety of food so no one goes hungry!
The Château is also in a great location.
The students gain so much confidence learning outside the classroom, including vocabulary, grammar and verbs. They gain context of the language and about the culture too.
We switched to the Château because the school found the Paris trip with another provider wasn’t bringing much educational value to the students, with no French improvement.
The Château must have a unique way of recruiting staff as the animateurs are second to none - they make the trip. They have so much energy and encouragement for the students and they make learning fun.
Carole and Gemma in the office are also great - always keeping the school informed and always offering the right advice.
”Thank you so much for all the time, energy (and no doubt patience!) you put into the French trip. Imogen loved every minute of it (especially the mud!!) - as well as it being a great learning environment it sounds like it was lots of fun and new friends were made along the way.
Many thanks again for giving up your precious holiday time - it’s much appreciated.”
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