French at A-level is no easy feat, discover how a work experience placement in France assisted two of our A-level students with their studies.
Side note: Working with dogs, optional!
A-level French student, Evangeline Levick travelled to Rouen over Easter for a five-day work experience placement.
Having a keen interest in animals, Evangeline undertook her work placement at a dog grooming parlour. Her experience of living and working in Rouen, as well as communicating with the local residents, helped to boost Evangeline’s confidence, whilst giving her a fuller understanding of life in France.
During her work experience, Evangeline had the opportunity to practice her French and her host family, working placement and the culture were among her favourite parts of the trip.
Overall, Evangeline thoroughly enjoyed her trip, and found learning about France and the French language very useful.
Her employer was also very pleased with her effort and involvement, adding:
“Excellente semaine. Evie est très gentille. Je suis contente de l’avoir reçue à mon magasin”.
The placement gave Evangeline the opportunity to develop her aural skills, and helped her prepare for her A-level studies.
Pelham House pupil, Martin Rose gives us his first-hand account of the French way of life:
“During the summer holidays, I was lucky enough to travel to Lille as part of the Halsbury Work Experience Scheme.
I spent the week working in a small café called ‘Le Waf’, the concept of which is that, on paying 5 Euros to enter, there are a number of dogs who roam free in the café to play with. I was kept busy during the week walking the dogs, serving customers and introducing them to the dogs as they entered.
These interactions helped me to improve my French language, as well as experiencing the country and gaining a greater understanding of France and the French culture.
My confidence in speaking grew immensely, and I am now much better at understanding what is being said.
For the majority of the week I was independently challenged too, as I found myself in the deep end of French life.
At the end of the week I was sad to leave as the week was so enjoyable, and I came to see Lille as the beautiful city that it is where life is calm and symbolic of the way of French life."
Looking for a place for Sixth Form? Discover what we have to offer here.