A group of forty Year 11 students from Mayflower High School in Billericay, Essex, have transformed their classroom Spanish into real-world conversation during an intensive four-day educational visit to Murcia in Spain.
Full Language Immersion in Action
The trip was designed as a complete language immersion experience. From the moment they arrived, the GCSE Spanish students were required to communicate solely in Spanish with teachers and staff. Rose Hooper, assistant head of Spanish, explained the strict 'no English' policy was key to the trip's success.
"This was a full immersive trip," said Ms Hooper. "Whenever students spoke to us or any staff during our stay, they had to speak in Spanish. The idea was for students to speak in Spanish every day."
Practical Challenges and Cultural Exploration
The teenagers were pushed to use their linguistic skills in authentic situations. If a hotel key card failed, they had to resolve the issue at reception in Spanish. Their itinerary blended cultural visits with constant language practice:
- Navigating local shops and markets using Spanish.
- Exploring historic castles while conversing in the language.
- Participating in water sports with instructions given in Spanish.
To encourage interaction, mobile phones were banned at the dinner table, fostering further conversation among classmates.
A Confidence Boost Ahead of Exams
The trip culminated in a sports competition on the beach, hosted entirely in Spanish. Ms Hooper reported a significant leap in the pupils' abilities and self-assurance. "They have all found their skills and confidence have improved as a result of the trip," she stated. "Being in Spain and using their skills to communicate has given them a real boost."
She emphasised the value of learning beyond the classroom, noting, "Students really flourished outside of the classroom. It was really, really successful." The experience provides invaluable preparation for the students, who will sit their Spanish speaking exam in April.
