Over 100 Students, 15 Schools, 17 Teachers, 29 Linguists and 10 Businesses from Southampton and South-West Hampshire tested their language skills in a real-life context recently when they took part in a Language College.

The Solent EBP annual Language Challenge, supported by BLC South East, offered Year 9 and 10 students the chance to put their French, German and Spanish skills into practise, supported by linguists from the local business community.

Students used both their language and enterprise skills to create oral and visual presentations, promoting package holidays to foreign tourists wishing to visit Southampton. 

Whilst the students took part in the language challenge with the help of local business volunteers, their teachers were engaged in a professional development programme on language teaching using current practice.

It was a really successful day, as Business Linguist Sophie Niviot, Solicitor from Blake Lapthorn, commented:

“I found this day really useful and enjoyable as well as rewarding.  I think the students really benefited from it, it’s important for local businesses to work with local students.”

Thornden School from Eastleigh were adjudicated the overall winners with individual winners also coming from:

Spanish – Kings School, Winchester

French – Cantell School, Southampton

German – Perins School, Winchester

Perins School were also Highly Commended for their French-speaking team.

Tourism South East kindly donated their ‘Welcome Host’ prize to the winning team, which was presented by Southampton Mayor, Liz Mizon.

For more information on the BLC programme in the South East please contact Raz Hussain.

Pictured: (top) students show off their work in the Language Challenge, (bottom) Southampton Mayor Liz Mizon looks at students’ work.