The entire school took on an international perspective with pupils of all ages dressed in internationally-inspired ensembles for the day. IKEA bags, champagne bottles and flamenco dancers were just some of the vast array of outfits worn by students and teachers who were inspired by the thousands of languages spoken around the world.
Many put in a real team effort with group ensembles including ABBA, Mamma Mia! and the school’s Upper Sixth all dressed as characters from Parisian-based children’s classic, Madeline.
Following her address at the UN climate action summit earlier this week, a group of Year 10 students even came with protest placards in homage to the young Swedish activist, Greta Thunberg.
Students also had the opportunity to broaden their cultural horizons by investigating the traditional pastimes, customs and cuisine of our international neighbours. This included a global cookery competition which saw everything from ratatouille to Welsh cakes and macarons vying to be crowned the ‘International Masterchef’ winning dish.
Even the Pre-Prep pupils joined in by swapping their usual elevenses for a continental-inspired snack.
European Day of Languages is annually celebrated across Europe every September. It aims to promote the 6000+ languages spoken around the world and raise awareness of the importance of lifelong language learning for everyone.
The day comes a new study from the University of Washington shows that exposure to multiple languages is likely to make it easier for students to learn one.
Bucking the national decline in high level language learning, linguistic exploration plays an important part in the curriculum from the youngest age.
At Truro High, pupils learn the basics from 4 years old working with senior school language teachers to build the foundations of becoming bilingual. By the age of 13 they are taking on leadership roles as ambassadors for the department as well as regularly taking part in overseas trips and languages exchanges. For some, this journey will lead them to undertake work experience around the world and even qualify to teach English as a foreign language.
French, Spanish and Latin all have their place on the timetable whilst Mandarin and Ancient Greek are offered as extracurricular clubs. The offering from the school’s Languages Faculty will also continue to grow with plans for an Italian conversation class to start soon as well.
