The day began with a brief introductory talk by the organisers. They welcomed us to the university and explained what we would be doing during the day. They also gave us a brief overview of how modern foreign languages are studied at university and how language degrees often combine language learning with culture, history, and society.

After the introduction, we were split into groups depending on the language we currently study at GCSE. Students studying French attended a French session, while those studying German attended a German session. In the German session, we took part in an interactive cultural activity that allowed us to explore different parts of Germany. It was like a virtual round trip across the country, where we learnt about different cities, traditions, and cultural features. The activity showed us that learning a language at university is not just about grammar and vocabulary, but also about understanding the culture and lifestyle of the people who speak it.

After lunch, the student ambassadors of Reading University gave us a tour of the campus site to give us an  overview of what studying at the university in general might be like. We were able to visit many places in the university, including the library, study areas and even the on-site museum.

Later in the day, we had the opportunity to attend a taster session in a completely new language. The sessions were held for Japanese, Italian, or British Sign Language (BSL). This part of the day was particularly exciting because it allowed us to experience learning a language that many of us had never tried before. During these taster sessions, the idea that learning a language is not just the words, but the culture and society that comes with it, was reinforced.

Overall, the trip to the University of Reading was a fascinating experience. It helped us understand how modern foreign languages are studied at university and showed us that language learning involves much more than simply learning to speak. It includes culture, communication, and exploring different ways of understanding the world. The day was both educational and an enjoyable experience.  It gave us an idea of what studying languages in the future might look like.

By Anagha and Ishita – Year 10