The day commenced with Year 8 enjoying their “croissants” and “chocolat chauds” breakfast on the Cooper Crescent site amidst a flurry of European realia. This was followed by fun activities and group work presented by Heather Mc Laughlin from the European Commission who enhanced our geographical knowledge of the capitals as well as stressing the importance of learning a language.
Year 9 and 10 language classes also had the opportunity to enjoy Heather’s presentation and become aware how language interlinks and improves employability skills.
In the afternoon, Heather visited with Year 10 French students on the Lough Shore site. She shared with them facts relating to Northern Ireland and the European Union. She explained that although the UK is leaving the EU they are still members of Europe and it could therefore be considered even more important to have a second language now. Her closing comments were that students may not excel at languages as their expertise may be in Science or Law but the important fact is that if they are able to speak and understand a second language it will open a far wider set of career options.
All pupils were able to sample European fayre at lunchtime and staff had the opportunity to enter a quiz to guess European faces past and present as well as sample culinary delights in the staff room. This was organised in conjunction with Macmillan Coffee Morning and the amount raised was £126.00.
Thank you to all who helped and supported the MFL Department in making the day such a success.
