French Exchange 2017-18

• Leg one: Scotland (French pupils over here) Sunday 11/03/18 to Wednesday 21/03/18 
• Leg Two: France (Scots away to Toulouse) Sunday 10/06/18 to Wednesday 20/06/18.

The Modern Languages Department at St Margaret's Academy has been involved in a French exchange with Collège Michelet in Toulouse since 2011.

We feel very strongly that such exchanges can play an extremely important role in the development of the pupils' language skills, as well as offering a unique opportunity to gain an insight into life in a foreign country.

Pupils will be able to practice and improve their speaking and listening skills in a genuine, authentic, and true conversational way.

Another major benefit of language exchange is the exposure to the native speakers' culture. By understanding another culture, pupils will come to better understand their own culture and gain experience and maturity through the challenges you face on exchange which takes you out of your familiar surroundings and "comfort zone",

Our exchange High School: Collège Michelet is a co-educational school of around 700 pupils, situated in the beautiful and historic city of Toulouse, in the south-west of France, about one hour away from the Pyrenees. Further information and photographs are available on their website: michelet.ecollege.haute-garonne.fr/ (opens new window).

This exchange will involve a group of pupils from S2 to S4 studying French, each of whom will be matched with a partner of similar age and interests. The party from Collège Michelet will come to Livingston for about 10 days in March 2018 (dates to be confirmed).  During their stay, our pupils will be hosted by their partners and treated as a member of a Scottish family. The French pupils will both attend some classes at the Collège Michelet and take part in excursions organised by us to places of interest. The St Margaret's group will travel to France for about 10 days next year between March and June (dates still to be decided), for a similar experience.