German language immersion at Hellenthal case study

Lee Rooke, German Subject Lead, Kesteven and Sleaford High School

“The purpose of the trip was to immerse the children in the German language and German cultural environment. I’ve been running school trips to Germany for the last eight years but this was my first trip to the Eifel region and I found there were many more opportunities for the children to use their German than I had expected.

The children really enjoyed the activities at the residential centre which were organised by German-speaking Betreuers and conducted in German. The Hellenthal centre has a fantastic high ropes course and the slacklining was the children’s absolute favourite activity. The outdoor games in the evening were also a lot of fun and made the children think and use their German. In all the activities the children are expected to respond in German which really improved their confidence.

The region is very traditional and gave the children an insight into real German life. The area is so picturesque and we made some great memories - such as the bird of prey show at the Wildfreigehege where an eagle flew over our heads! Because the area is not set up for English tourists, the children had to use their German, for example, we were the first non-German group to have a tour of the Oleftalsperre Dam which we all thought was very cool. The guides at the dam were great and spoke in German to the kids – though I had to translate the more technical elements.

This was the children’s first chance to use their German in a real setting and the highlight for me, as a teacher, was seeing the children speaking the language. The children realised that you don’t have to be fluent to be understood and they loved ordering their own ice creams in German at the Eiscafe! The trip broadened their horizons and showed them that there is a purpose to what they are learning in the classroom.”