New European connection made after successful languages visit

Longridge Towers School has received terrific praise from a Spanish school for creating a fully immersive experience for foreign students that will launch a new European partnership.

A group of Spanish students attended Longridge as part of the latest visit organised by the School’s Modern Languages department. The children were from the IEL Llombai Burriana school, a coastal secondary of around 1300 students just north of Valencia.

They have visited a number of UK schools over the past decade and more, but Headteacher Rosa Ana Morales revealed: “None were of the quality and immersive experience we have experienced at Longridge, which is why we are now looking to create a formal European link with Longridge to build on this.”

Mrs Morales was joined by her Head of Languages Mrs Ballester Grimaltos, and they were welcomed by Longridge Headteacher Mr Lee, Deputy Head Mrs Arnott and Spanish teacher Mrs Borrego-Jimenez, supported across the School in a programme of daily activities.

Modern Languages immersion

Mrs Borrego-Jimenez explained: “What we try to do is a language immersion because language education at Longridge is about much more than just the classroom

“So, for our students, and the Spanish students, this approach allows them to practice the language that they have been learning but in a practical way outside of the classroom. That brings vocabulary and style of conversing that is relevant to them as young people because it comes straight from the Spanish/UK students, and so has more than what is covered in the curriculum.

“That complements and enhances what we teach in class with a social learning that gives our pupils deeper understanding of the Spanish language but also confidence that they can meet and converse with Spanish people in any environment. As they grow confidence in one language it also grows confidence in them to do that with other people in other languages as well.

“The other benefit of this is that we are making real links and friendships, and we will encourage them to follow those in the future. We have had a lovely group from Spain and very supportive teachers, who think very similarly to us, about the benefits of growing friendships across the world and giving our students confidence to feel they can travel and pursue careers anywhere in the world.”

Around 600 million people around the world are reported to speak Spanish, ranking it as the third or fourth language behind English and Mandarin Chinese and alongside Hindi.

The benefits for the Spanish children of spending time in the UK are similar, according to Mrs Ballester Grimaltos.

She said: “I am the international coordinator in our school and we have worked hard to find very positive, engaging experiences for our students abroad, and we have been very pleased with our week at Longridge because of that approach to integration.

“We have been to many schools in the UK but this is the first time we have been so immersed in everything. Sometimes, our children can be left to study English on their own, and of course we enjoy the time spent in English towns, but Longridge have really embraced us with integrated lessons and activities every day – from the ceilidh which broke down barriers on the first day and created a good social atmosphere for the week, to the exercises they have done together, and being accommodated in the school, and the trips to wonderful places nearby.

“The Longridge staff were very accommodating and the pupils have been really great, friendly ambassadors for their school. They made it very enjoyable for our students.”

Changing perspectives in Spain and the UK

Mrs Ballester Grimaltos also explained that she hopes the new partnership with Longridge can help to change perspectives both in Spain and the UK.

“Spanish families don’t generally think about adolescents needing to be able to manage around the world, so English is maybe not the most important thing for them,” she said.

“But English is very important as a means of communication all over the world and, so, for us, it is important that they don’t just learn it academically but that they are confident and have an accurate use of this language.

“This visit was also about opening their eyes to the fact that children from another country, speaking a different language, are actually very similar to them; they likes similar things, they care about the same things in the world, and laugh at the same things.

“We have found in the past a perception in England that Spanish people are difficult, maybe loud and brash, or not easy to get on with. I don’t know how common that is, but it has been refreshing that that has not been the feeling at Longridge; we have been welcomed here with real friendliness.”

The Spanish group also left a positive impression on the Longridge staff and pupils. Gavin Hattle, Longridge Head of Boarding, supported the Spanish group with accommodation, evening activities and trips to local sights.

He said: “Our visit from IEL Llombai Burriana School was a very positive experience for everyone involved. The students integrated exceptionally well into school life, showing enthusiasm and openness throughout their stay.

“It was especially encouraging to see new friendships form so naturally, with pupils connecting across cultures and making lasting memories together. All involved agreed that we should arrange a return visit to strengthen the bond between both schools.”

Mrs Morales, like Mr Lee at Longridge, is retiring in the summer but she said she would continue to support both schools to develop their new links.

She added: “We are looking forward to working with Longridge in the future and reciprocate with students coming to Spain. We have a great school and a sailing centre good modern accommodation beside our school, which will be able to provide some extra activities.

“Even though I am retiring, like Mr Lee, I will continue to work with the schools to build on what we have started here because we feel we have found our partner school in the UK. The potential to help students develop cross-Europe relationships and contacts, and with potential careers, I think is big.”