A group of our learners travelled to France to visit Lycée High School French students for cultural exchange, providing a unique experience for the students. Moving ahead to March 2024, students from Lycée High School visited St. David’s College as part of the Taith scheme.
The French students’ adventure began with a day trip to Bristol, before arriving in Cardiff. Where they met with learners from St David’s at the Cozy Club for an evening meal. This provided a wonderful opportunity for students to converse in a blend of French and English, establishing new friendships.
The following day, the Lycée students attended St David’s College, where they participated in a variety of lessons alongside our learners, noting the differences between our educational systems. While initially nervous, the French students expressed how envious they were of the comparatively relaxed teaching schedule at St David’s, where students typically focus on three or four subjects a day compared to their ten-subject days.
In the evening, the French students ventured into the heart of Cardiff with our learners to enjoy Matthew Bourne’s production of Edward Scissorhands at the Millennium Centre with all students saying they “thoroughly enjoyed the experience.”
The week was wrapped up with a visit to Big Pit, where the Lycée High School students, accompanied by our learners, delved into the rich history of Welsh mining for a hands-on experience. This provided a deeper understanding of local Welsh heritage and its history for both groups of students.
This experience not only enhanced language skills for both groups of learners but also built lasting cross-cultural friendships, gaining invaluable insights into each other’s educational practices and cultures, creating a unique cultural and educational experience.
