At the end of September, Wallace High School marked European Day of Languages (EDL) with an exciting week-long celebration of engaging activities, from morning assemblies (in which several members of staff showcased their linguistic skills) to a whole school EDL Quizizz and much more! The celebration not only highlighted the diversity of European languages at Wallace, but also emphasised the cultural enrichment and personal growth that comes with learning new languages.
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Languages World Cup
One of the most anticipated events of the week was the annual Year 12 Wallace World Cup, a friendly football tournament that saw students from GCSE Language and Leisure and Tourism classes competing in teams representing various countries. Under the watchful eye of referee Mr Hinds, the tournament culminated in a tense final match between Chile and Portugal, with Chile claiming victory. The World Cup event was a hit among students, blending sports and language learning in a way that energised the whole school.
Year 8 French Immersion
For Year 8 pupils, the celebrations kicked off with a delightful French breakfast, where they had the chance to indulge in French croissants and orange juice (jus d’orange). Alongside this culinary treat, students took part in French-themed spot quizzes, testing their knowledge of the language and culture. The event also featured a fun French photo booth, where students took pictures with French props, making it a memorable start to their week of European exploration.
Schultüte
Year 9 and Year 10 students enjoyed an artistic approach to celebrating European languages and cultures. Year 9 pupils learned about the German tradition of Schultüte, which involves giving children colourful cones filled with school supplies and treats on their first day of school. After learning about the tradition, they took on the challenge of creating and decorating their own Schultüte, bringing this German custom to life. Meanwhile, Year 10 students delved into the world of art by exploring Pablo Picasso’s Cubism. After learning about Picasso’s unique style and its influence on modern art, the students were tasked with creating their own Picasso-inspired portraits, showcasing their creativity while learning about a key figure in European culture.
Sign Language Lessons
For Year 11 students, the focus was on inclusivity, with a sign language lesson in which they learned how to introduce themselves and hold basic conversations. This activity not only enhanced their communication skills but also highlighted the importance of breaking down language barriers, including non-verbal ones, and broadened students’ understanding of communication beyond spoken European languages.
EDL Bake-Off
A highlight for many was the annual EDL Bake-Off, which brought out the culinary talents of A-Level students. Participants baked a range of traditional European treats, from French pastries to German and Spanish delicacies, showcasing both their skills in the kitchen and their knowledge of European cultures. Learning Support staff had the difficult job of judging the entries, but they unanimously agreed that Year 14 student Sophie Noble should be crowned EDL Bake-Off Champion for her impressive macarons français délicieux.
Carolyn Schumann, Head of Modern Languages, expressed her delight with yet another successful EDL celebration, commenting, “The aim of European Day of Languages is to celebrate Europe’s rich linguistic and cultural diversity and to reinforce the importance of language learning to foster cultural understanding and personal development. It was wonderful to see the whole school community embracing the spirit of EDL, with both students and staff participating in a variety of activities that encouraged creativity, teamwork, and cross-cultural engagement.”
As Wallace High looks ahead to next year’s EDL celebrations, the success of this year’s events has set a high standard, ensuring that language learning remains a vibrant and integral part of school life. It challenges our students and provides opportunities to develop their transversal skills.
The Modern Languages Department has a wide range of other competitions and activities planned for the year ahead. These include the very popular Junior Language Club and the Linguistic Olympiad.
Make sure to follow their success this year via http://instagram.com/wallacehighlisburn
You can find out more about what the Modern Languages Department at Wallace has to offer via the link below:
Last modified: October 15, 2024
