PARIS IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA! A LEVEL ENGLISH AND FRENCH STUDENTS ENJOY VISIT TO FRENCH CAPITAL
21.10.2025HNC’s A Level English Language and Literature and A Level French students have recently returned from a magical shared trip to Paris, exploring in real life the cultural and historical sights they have explored in the classroom, bringing their studies to life and developing a deeper understanding of the wider world in which we live.
Students studying A Level English Language and Literature study a variety of texts and anthologies linked to Parisian culture as part of the unit ‘Remembering Places’. A Level French students also study a range of topics, books and films that explore the culture and history of Paris. During this four-day trip, students from both courses enjoyed experiences that directly linked to their studies, as well as enjoying cultural visits that are a must for any tourist visiting the French capital!
Day one of the trip saw the group spend the day at Disneyland Paris, with our students enjoying a range of rides and experiences, and A Level French students using the opportunity to practise their conversational language skills. After the excitement of Disneyland, the rest of the trip saw students immerse themselves into the culture of Paris. The group enjoyed a visit to the Louvre, following in the footsteps of Rick Steves, author of the anthology Paris – which is studied extensively in A Level English Language and Literature – and exploring the route he first took to view famous exhibits, from the Mona Lisa to the Greek statues.
Another standout moment from the trip involved a scenic boat ride down the river Seine, with the group enjoying Paris’ iconic architecture and bridges from the unique perspective of the river – landmarks spotted included the recently rebuilt Notre Dam cathedral and the Musée d’Orsay. A Level French students found references across the city to the books, films and topics they have been studying in the classroom, passing la Gare d’Austerlitz, the setting for No et Moi, spotting a Darty van, referenced in the film study of la Haine, and seeing graffiti supporting the Loi Taubira, which the class has discussed during Black History Month and in wider relation to LGBTQ+ rights.
Of course, no trip to Paris would be complete without a trip to one of the world’s most famous landmarks, the Eiffel Tower! Students taking part on the trip also had the opportunity to spend some free time exploring the streets of Paris, making memories and spending time collecting photographs for a photo diary to document their experience.
Kay Homer, Teacher of English, comments “Our annual trip to Paris is not only a brilliant way in which we bring learning to life for our students – it’s a genuinely life-changing visit that showcases the magic of travel and the excitement of discovering more about a new culture. During the trip, our English Language and Literature students were able to experience first hand the wonder felt by Rick Steves as he explored Paris for the first time –providing a deeper understanding of his anthology, Paris, which is a key text we study and assess. It is experiences such as this that makes HNC such a special and enriching place to study, and I know that the students who joined us for this magical trip will be able to use their experiences to develop the knowledge and cultural capital that will support them far beyond their time at HNC”.
Jenny Rome, Teacher of French, shares more “Studying A Level French is so much more than talking and reading the language! Having a genuine understanding and appreciation for French culture is key to a student’s success, and the annual trip to Paris is just one way in which students can develop their cultural and historical knowledge of the beautiful country of France. My students had a brilliant time practising their conversational French, putting their language skills to the test in restaurants, shops and cultural landmarks across the city. We also enjoyed spotting real world examples of the topics we study in the classroom, and I know that this experience will support their success as they approach their exams”.
You can find out more about the College’s approach to bringing learning to life at our upcoming Open Event on Wednesday 12 November. A Gallery of images from the trip can be found below.
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