45 language learners from Carisbrooke College enjoyed a fully funded educational trip to London last week, attending a Mandarin Study Day at the BFI Southbank – the home of film and cinema academia in the UK.
The Isle of Wight secondary school funded the visit using a £2,000 cash prize awarded by School Travel Organiser Magazine after winning the national Best School Trip category for their history trip to Vietnam. The college chose to use the prize money to cover the cost of the modern foreign languages trip in full, ensuring all 45 students could attend free of charge.
A selection of Key Stage 3 students from Years 7, 8 and 9 travelled to the banks of the Thames for a day of immersive learning focused on Mandarin and Chinese culture.
The visit began with a morning session exploring GCSE themes of culture and family, followed by activities using key vocabulary from the GCSE Mandarin specification. Students analysed film clips by Chinese directors Zhang Yimou and Jia Zhangke, developing their understanding of grammar and translation before contributing spoken responses in an auditorium filled with hundreds of Mandarin learners from across the country.
In the afternoon, students attended a screening of Lulu Wang’s award-winning film ‘The Farewell’ on the big screen. The film’s focus on family and cultural differences sparked discussion among students on the coach journey back to the Isle of Wight.
Jacob, Year 8 student, has said:
“It was a long, exciting journey up to London and in the end it was 100% worth it because it broadened our Chinese knowledge by analysing scenes from a range of Chinese movies.
“The great thing was that the trip was completely free for us which is surprising as it was a long way to go and not the type of event we really get to attend here on the Isle of Wight very often. It has made me want to take Mandarin as a GCSE and use my language skills to travel more in the future.”
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Jess, Year 7 student, has said:
“It’s important for us to learn outside the classroom like this because we can meet other people who may be even better at it than we are. This whole event and seeing the other students there has inspired me to continue taking Mandarin as a subject at GCSE level.”
Phoebe, Year 7 student, has said:
“I was taking the event very seriously because I enjoy learning Mandarin so much and love discovering the culture. We got to hear people speaking the language while experiencing the film clips. I also liked being involved in the activities because I was able to show my teachers just how much I enjoy studying the language.
Article continues below this advertisement “I was really happy that the trip was free as it meant that not only was I definitely able to attend, but I did so purely because I’ve been doing well in lessons. When I am older, having these language skills will help with getting jobs.”
Joe Briscoe, Mandarin teacher and Educational Visits Coordinator at Carisbrooke College, has said:
“It was really refreshing to be able to invite so many students who have shown either talent or dedication towards their studies in Chinese up to this national event.
“The fact that we were able to use the winnings from a really successful earlier trip to provide yet another worthwhile learning experience outside of the classroom for our younger students is also particularly satisfying. Thank you to School Travel Organiser Magazine for ensuring that so many of our students could benefit from this inspiring opportunity.
“We find at Carisbrooke that when students have well planned, enjoyable, educational experiences beyond the classroom, it always increases enthusiasm and attainment back at school. Despite language learning in the UK being far behind other countries in terms of numbers, Carisbrooke students have shown through their focus, engagement and behaviour that the popularity of languages here and their enthusiasm for Mandarin in particular has never been more impressive.”
Keeley Rodgers, Editor of School Travel Organiser Magazine, has said:
“I’m so pleased to hear that the Mandarin Study Day was a success – what an incredible experience for the students to have. Not only has this trip created long lasting memories for those involved but has also massively enhanced their studies – it could certainly not have been replicated just in a classroom.
“Congratulations again to Carisbrooke College on their ‘My Best School Trip’ Award win and here’s to even more adventures ahead!”
Carisbrooke College is part of the HISP Multi-Academy Trust and says it prides itself on offering life changing experiences for students both inside and outside the classroom.
Students are currently preparing for a skiing trip to Austria, a journey around South Africa, Eswatini and Mozambique later this year, and a Mandarin trip to Taiwan planned for 2027.
China Town is well worth a visit.