Give GCSE students four days of French immersion, adventure and challenges – with more opportunities to speak, participate and put their language skills into action.
Take GCSE French out of the classroom and into action at Château de la Baudonnière.
This enhanced version of our flagship French language immersion programme is designed specifically for GCSE students, with a greater emphasis on speaking, participation and using French independently.
Students spend four days immersed in French, combining exciting activities at the Château with a day exploring the local area. They'll make traditional French bread, tackle outdoor challenges, complete a French market mission and explore the sights of Normandy – all while communicating with native-speaking animateurs and each other.
The programme is designed to get everyone talking, with more small-group activities, conversation prompts and challenges that encourage students to use French rather than simply listen to it.
And because the best language learning happens when you're having fun, GCSE preparation is woven naturally into the experience – not bolted on as classroom-style lessons.
Skills: introductions, asking questions and getting used to communicating in French.
Skills: describing, asking questions, giving opinions and working together.
Skills: listening, asking for information, shopping and communicating in real-life situations.
Skills: pronunciation, fluency, describing experiences and expressing opinions.
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Château de la Baudonnière
Just an hour and a half by coach from the Port of Caen, the Château is nestled in 100 acres of its own grounds, which incorporate a lake, mini farm, assault course, climbing wall and activity facilities. You can read more about Château de la Baudonnière school centre here. |
Our GCSE programme gives learners plenty of opportunities to practise the skills they'll need for their French speaking and listening exams, without turning the trip into a classroom.
Describe a picture
Practise the skills behind the GCSE photocard task. Animateurs give students picture cards and ask them to describe what they can see – from people and places to clothes, weather and activities. They'll then ask follow-up questions, encouraging students to add detail and keep the conversation going.
Give your opinion
Students are encouraged to talk about what they like, dislike and prefer, and explain why. Conversation prompts at breakfast and dinner provide easy opportunities to share opinions about food, activities, places and everyday topics.
Ask and answer questions
From ordering breakfast to completing the Market Mission, students need to listen carefully, ask questions and respond in French.
Talk about past and future experiences
Students talk about what they've done, what they're doing and what they're going to do next. For example, after a day's activities they might describe what happened, say what they enjoyed and explain what they'd like to try next.
Listen and respond
Native-speaking animateurs provide a real listening challenge, exposing students to natural French and different voices, speeds and accents. Students need to listen for key information and respond spontaneously.
Work together in French
Many activities involve teamwork, giving students a reason to communicate with their classmates. They'll negotiate, encourage each other and make decisions – all while being encouraged to use French.
Build confidence and fluency
The more students use French, the more comfortable they become speaking it. Our animateurs encourage all students to have a go, creating lots of low-pressure opportunities to speak throughout the day – not just during designated language activities.
Reflect on progress
Teachers and students can use our optional assessment checklist before and after the trip to set personal goals and reflect on progress. It's a simple way for students to recognise how their confidence and communication skills have developed during their stay.
The Wall takes place at the centre which is suitable for students of any age. After issuing equipment and explaining the safety procedures, the students will climb various paths on the wall. They will use commands in French to each other and will learn French words for movements and parts of the body.
On location in the beautiful grounds, tasks are set for each group to encourage the students to work together. These team-building and problem-solving activities are challenging, fun and require good communication skills and a lot of team spirit.
This popular session is held on our purpose-built obstacle course in the Château grounds. Explanations are done in French and pupils repeat action statements before being allowed to do each obstacle. Ideal for practising popular verbs and the use of prepositions. Usually rather wet and muddy, the students enjoy finishing off the session with a run against the clock and a dip in the river!
Kayaking sessions are conducted on the beautiful on-site lake. Simple instructions are given in French and the students will master various skills in a very safe and fun environment. Students should be confident in water, but do not need to be excellent swimmers for this activity.
Students get the chance to be a Robin Hood. After an explanation of the equipment and some basic skills training, students shoot foam tipped arrows through holes in targets, an excellent opportunity to practise numbers and directions in the target language
This activity is designed to enhance the students’ knowledge of French while capturing an image from their activity, be it a leaf or a flower or their very own design. Using our dark room we can develop the image onto paper for the students to take away with them.
Aeroball is a fun, totally unique sport! The trampoline-basketball-volleyball game is suitable for all ages and is played by two teams of 2. Simple instructions are given in French and the students will have the chance to learn/practise the vocabulary for the body parts. It’s also a great opportunity to practise the numbers (scoring and counting down the end of the match). Aeroball is quickly becoming a favourite activity for students and teachers alike!
Your students will be split into teams to play volleyball on the centre's own court. The game is a great way to practise numbers, instructions and directions in the target language.
Suitable for all ages bread making is not just a case of making bread, it’s also a golden opportunity to practise your singing talents, as we sing French songs. Students will be guided from the very beginning with simple French instructions. From the measuring of the flour to the kneading of the bread, this activity will keep their enthusiasm going throughout. They will even get to taste the fruits of their hard work as their bread will be baked in time for the evening meal.
Enables pupils to discover the art of circus on an artistic as well as technical level. Students are introduced to juggling, diabolo and other circus equipment in a fun and educational manner. The French spoken during this activity is very varied and is based on using the names of the equipment (stick, balls, diabolo...), action verbs (to walk, to move...), directions (left, right, up, down...), colours (orange, red, green...), numbers (one, two, three...).
Fencing takes place on-site and is an excellent opportunity for students of all ages to learn French in a safe and fun environment, as well as learning about the safety and the equipment. This activity also encourages the students to practise new phrases in French as well as enjoying the fencing itself.
This island and its surrounding bay are a UNESCO World Heritage site. Scale the cobblestoned streets to reach the churches and the famous gothic-style abbey. Groups with an Animateur will experience a guided barefoot walk across the bay, which is a highlight for students.
Saint-Malo is a historic walled city with a surrounding beach. Central to the cobblestoned old town is the Roman Catholic Saint-Malo Cathedral. Popular visits also include the town museum and the Great Aquarium, home to 11,000 marine animals.
© David Joyce
Just 15 minutes from Château de la Baudonnière, groups can visit the town's Bell Foundry, Copper Workshop and Pewter Museum. It is rich in history and has a bustling morning market every Tuesday.
Our French language immersion GCSE programme includes:
Extras to budget for:
These ready-made trip resources are designed to reduce your admin and help speed up the process of planning, promoting and getting approval for your trip:
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