The School’s second annual International Languages Week, championed by the Modern Foreign Languages Department, was a great success from Monday 26th to Friday 30th September.
Students had the opportunity to try some sports from other countries including Futsal, Handball, Petanque, French Hockey and Basketball, to reflect on the legend of the Chinese Autumn Festival and the origin of mooncakes, to cook some Spanish and German recipes in Food Tech and to participate in the Polyglot Poetry Competition. Our catering team in Oakview have provided a broad selection of international food over the week, offering and extensive range of world cuisine at mealtimes.
Head of Modern Foreign Languages, Didier Descamps, explained, “By celebrating our linguistic and cultural diversity we are paying tribute to a core Quaker value – respect – that underpins our School community. I am convinced that it is easier for us humans to respect each other if we know each other. By providing our students with opportunities to learn about other languages and cultures in and outside of the classroom, we broaden their minds and make the ‘other’ become more like another self.”
Vic (Year 10) agreed, “I think that I enjoyed writing the sustainability poem, which had linked with Language Week by having to write in at least three languages; I had German, English and Latin. I enjoyed this because it was a task with quite a lot of freedom, so it was quite calming to do. I think it’s important to recognise different languages, to help to respect others. Being in the know of cultures different to our own can help us to, easily, put ourselves in other people’s shoes.”
“My favourite thing about international languages week was the food.” said Ethan (Year 7) “I really enjoyed trying the different types of food from different countries! I think learning about different languages and cultures is important as it helps us to understand the world we live in and how things are done differently around the world.”
Lara (Year 8) concluded, “This week I have enjoyed the change of meals at lunch at Oakview. I have also enjoyed playing and learning the games that different countries play.”
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