EXCHANGE programmes are the best way for students to embrace a new culture, Odiham teachers have said following a successful trip to Germany.

Students from Robert May’s Secondary School and Mayhill Junior School visited German Christmas markets, funded by the UK-German Connection (UKGC).

The 15 primary and five secondary school students visited the German grammar school Werner-Von-Siemens, the Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie.

Sue Marsh, German exchange co-ordinator and modern foreign languages teacher, took the children for five days in December.

She said: “The parents of the primary school children have all be saying that they have come back so excited about travelling and going to another country.

“Some have never been far away without their parents, so to go abroad with a passport and on a plane itself was amazing and just seeing the way they soaked up the culture. 

“Before the trip our secondary school pupils who were chosen to go on the trip had to plan and teach the lessons to the primary school children and they loved it.”

UKGC provides a dedicated linking service between schools and offers funding for UK-German activity as well as a range of bilateral programmes, trips and seminars.

Holly Abbott, 16, who went on the exchange, said: “It was really good fun to take the other younger children to the Christmas markets and see them use the German we had taught them.

“The trip has made me want to carry on teaching languages ad I hope to start tutoring German next year.”

Maddy George, 15, added: “The highlight probably for me was teaching the children as well. We had so many good opportunities.”

With schools being urged by Education Minister Nicky Morgan to make children learn a language at GCSE level to qualify for the English Baccalaureate, Sue is adamant exchange programmes are the best way for students to embrace a new culture.

“Exchanges have certainly helped our languages department in our school.

“We get visits from French, Spanish and German students and I believe it’s this exposure to seeing other children like themselves that makes them enjoy it - and use the skills they have been taught.

“Otherwise it would be like studying food technology without cooking or taking a science class without doing an experiment.”