Chigwell School marked the European Day of Languages (EDL) with a variety of fun, engaging, and thought-provoking activities across campus. Throughout the week, pupils explored languages and cultures through themed lessons, competitions, and special events designed to inspire curiosity and celebrate cultural diversity.
In the dining hall, the celebrations were especially lively. Multilingual displays featured key vocabulary from 10 European languages, while menus were translated into multiple languages to enrich the lunchtime experience. Later in the week, the dining hall embraced the spirit of Oktoberfest with a German-themed menu including Schnitzel, Bratwurst, and Apfelstrudel. Pupils also enjoyed German-language puzzles and interesting facts during lunch, adding an interactive twist to the festivities.
A standout event was the Ice Cream Café, where Year 7 and 8 German pupils practised their speaking skills by ordering ice cream in German, served by older pupils who have already taken GCSE German.
Meanwhile, Year 8 and 9 pupils took part in a live online event hosted by the British Council, GCHQ, and the National Consortium for Languages Education (NCLE). Guest speakers shared inspiring stories about how language skills have enriched their careers, highlighting the value of multilingualism in today’s world.
Pupils were also encouraged to get creative by entering the national EDL T-Shirt Competition, celebrating linguistic and cultural diversity. Entries are open until 1 December, and we look forward to seeing the imaginative designs from our pupils.
Reflecting on the week, Mrs Nadia Megnin, Teacher of French, said:
"It has been a wonderful week of celebrating languages and cultures, and we are proud of how enthusiastically our pupils have taken part. Events like these remind us all that learning languages is not only fun, but also a powerful way of connecting with the wider world."
