What does it feel like to navigate one of Europe’s busiest cities, live with a local host family and, most importantly, speak English all day long? For us students of the 4BK and our teachers, Ms Kühhaas and Ms Bruckner, the language and culture week in London was exactly that.
Interactive classes at the Oxford International Education School in Greenwich, taught by native speakers, encouraged us not only to communicate confidently in class but also to put our language skills into everyday practice.
The first days were spent exploring Greenwich, home to famous landmarks such as the Cutty Sark, once one of the fastest and largest ships of its time, the Prime Meridian, the Royal Observatory and the iconic University of Greenwich, a popular filming location for numerous movies and TV productions. A particular highlight was the scavenger hunt through London, where students explored the City of London in small groups and completed creative challenges along the way.
Beyond the classroom, we discovered London’s rich history and culture through visits to some of its most famous attractions, including Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge, the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace, where we witnessed the traditional Changing of the Guards. We also enjoyed exploring Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Camden Market, Leadenhall Market, St. James’ Park and Regent’s Park, Kensington Palace, the Graffiti Tunnel, Harrods, the National Gallery, the South Bank of London, Daunts Books in Marylebone as well as the breathtaking views from the Sky Garden.
Another unforgettable event was the boat trip along the Thames from Greenwich to Westminster, going past Canary Wharf, Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe, The London Eye and the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben on one of eight consecutive sunny and warm days.
An interactive tour of the London Dungeon featuring actors and special effects taught us about 1000 years of London’s bloody history and its most infamous villains, such as Jack the Ripper, Sweeney Todd or Guy Fawkes. The scary tour reached its peak in the death fall at the end.
The language week gave us the opportunity to improve our English, experience British culture first-hand and create memories that will stay with us long after returning home.
Text: Prof. Ulrike Kühhaas
