Thirty-two keen learners of Spanish from Years 8 and 9 recently enjoyed trying out their linguistic skills during a full immersion trip to Madrid. Accompanied by three members of staff from the Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) and English Departments, the group spent four action-filled days in the Spanish capital. On the rich immersion programme were visits to the Royal Palace and the Museo Nacional Centreo de Arte Reina Sofia where Picasso’s mural Guernica is displayed. The young linguists also spent some time shopping for Spanish provisions for a picnic lunch in the Parque Retiro and discovering the many small shops around the Plaza Mayor. Sweet tooths were satisfied during a visit to a Spanish chocolateria where hot chocolate and churros were on offer. Another highlight in the trip was the visit to the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home of Real Madrid, where pupils were able to visit the pitch and walk through the players’ tunnel on the evening before, many miles away in Kiev, Real Madrid beat Liverpool in the Champions’ League. Football results aside, an amazing time was had by all. Participating Year 8 pupil Carmen Kilgannon said: ‘After studying Spanish for several terms, I was very happy to try out my language skills in Madrid. I loved all the activities on offer, but I particularly enjoyed shopping in the souvenir shops around the Plaza del Sol. I would definitely recommend this trip to other Year 8 and 9 pupils as Madrid is a location with lots to see and do and it’s fun to try out the languages you study in the classroom.” This particular trip to the Spanish capital will return in 2020 whilst next year, budding linguists will have the chance to part in a full immersion trip to France, accompanied once more by members of the MFL department.

19th June 2018  Back to News