Many students whilst in France like to practice their French and there are plenty of opportunities to do this, from ordering a coffee in the cafes in Pont de Montvert, the nearest town to the Eagles Nest, to asking questions of the local population to fill in results on one of Discovers worksheets on Agricultural use on the mountain or the pressures of tourism in the National Park. They have become quite used to this over the years! Then theres the friendly and helpful staff of the National Park who often visit parties at the centre to explain how the Parc works in practice - and in French of course.
As French is the second language in Morocco its important to try out the language here too - bartering for a leather bag in the Souk or politely declining the services of a guide. As a visitor you are well regarded and the Moroccans are keen to make your acquaintance, sell you your holiday memento or a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. French is the natural language in which to do this. In the High Atlas its important to communicate with the local people who are very friendly and want to say hello as they pass by on the narrow tracks - to not say hello back would be impolite.
Discover has regular visitors in the second and third years at school and pupils this young really take to language learning in an environment where they can see practical uses for it. As others are using French its not so strange and so they don't feel so shy. Suddenly the reason for the language becomes apparent, for example buying presents or a drink in the cafe and there is a certain air of satisfaction from students who's efforts are recognized, because the native French speaker sees the student trying hard, they help and its a very good way of breaking down barriers and making new friends.
This is just not possible during a field study trip in the UK and so even if the primary aim of coming to one of our centres was, say, a geography field trip, there will always be the added bonus of expanding language skills - and enjoying it too!.
The advantages to any educational establishment of coming on the trip are great, in that a trip structured to provide both language learning and another discipline, can vary the students work load as well as provide inter-departmental support and help with organisation and fundraising as well as provide a broader base of teaching skills on the trip itself.