The aims of our language course are to encourage pupils to speak and listen to the French language as often as possible while staying in an 18th Century Château. The courses are designed to build on the work pupils currently do within the school classroom and to develop an increased confidence in French, whilst also experiencing French culture. Our structured sessions will help to give each child an extra boost and a real appreciation of French and hopefully an increase in motivation when they return to the classroom in the UK.
Pupils are placed into teams with a Château language coordinator, whose purpose is to ensure that each child obtains the maximum benefit from the French session chosen. Each pupil will receive a diary to be used prior, during and after the course. Teachers can then decide how much they want to incorporate our modules into the course work at school. Party Leaders can choose 2 modules on a weekend course and 3 modules on a week course.
The Château language modules have been designed by teachers. They are mainly aimed at key stage 2 & 3 and pre-GCSE students with at least 1-2 year's experience of French language learning but can be adapted to suit various ability levels if required.
Please note the evening entertainment programme on our french language course is conducted in french wherever possible.
Choice of Language Modules
Treasure Hunt
Teams will visit the historical village of Rue which is within easy walking distance of Le Château du Broutel. Each team is given a variety of clues, problems and destinations in French and by following the instructions, directions and by asking the locals are then able to answer the various puzzles. A small prize is donated to the winning team.
Local Market Visit
Teams will visit a local market to purchase lunch. Each team is given a budget and then the team will be expected to help prepare the morning's purchases under the guidance of our French chef.
French Reporter
Teams will produce an article on a possible range of subjects. Pupils will need to prepare a set of questions in preparation for interviews for the article and then produce the article in French. An example: Article on the history of Le Château du Broutel from 1714 to the present day.
Interview
Pupils will prepare questions for a 'question and answer' session with an invited guest in relation to their way of life within the region. Invited guests range from: a local fireman, shopkeeper, the hotel manager, chef etc.
Investigating Surveys
A number of topics can be chosen by pupils to complete an investigating survey within the local community. An example: What do the inhabitants of Rue think of the introduction of the Euro and how has it affected them?
Local Visit
A number of local visits will include demonstrations in French with pupils being asked to record key aspects of the visit. For example: Visit to the Goat Farm.
Supermarket Shopping Survey
Teams will visit a supermarket to produce a survey in relation to the shopping habits of their customers and to compare products and report in French comparing the differences between British and French supermarkets.
| 5 Day Sample Programme | |||||
| Time of Day | am | pm | Evening | ||
| Activity Session | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Monday | Travel to Le Château to arrive for evening meal | Château Olympics | |||
| Tuesday | Chocolate Factory or Goat Farm |
Interview Module | Scavenger Hunt | ||
| Wednesday | Local Market Module | Amiens Visit | Quiz Night | ||
| Thursday | Visit St Valery | French Reporter Module | BBQ/Disco | ||
| Friday | Fencing* | Zip Wire* | Depart for School after lunch | ||
*Optional extra