Immersing in French Culture: Year 12's Visit to Alliance Française

Our year 12 French students recently had a fantastic opportunity to visit the Alliance Française in Manchester — a vibrant cultural centre that celebrates the French language and Francophone heritage.

On arrival, they were warmly welcomed by Myriam, the director of the Alliance, who shared the organisation’s mission and gave the group a guided tour of the médiathèque — a treasure trove of French books, films, and other media.

The visit included a private screening of De Gaulle, a powerful film about Charles de Gaulle and his role in liberating France during the Second World War. After the screening, students took part in a lively workshop held entirely in French, where they discussed the film’s themes and its historical significance. It was a brilliant way to deepen their understanding of 20th-century French history while practising their language skills in a real-world setting.

The experience was not only great preparation for Paper 2 of the A level exam, but also added valuable context to their current study of Au Revoir les Enfants in class. More than just a study trip, it was a chance to experience French language and culture first-hand — bringing their learning to life beyond the classroom.