There is no better way to develop German language skills and build pupil confidence than real life experience “in the field†– but where is the best place to take your group for a valuable and fun trip? Whilst many teachers take their students to popular destinations like Berlin and Munich (both of which are fantastic), here at The School Travel Company we believe that the picturesque Rhine Valley is actually the best choice.
This fairytale-esque region of Germany is steeped in tradition. Little English is spoken here, making it a superb place for German language students to immerse themselves in the language and abandon their inhibitions.
Four Nights in Rhine Valley
A four-night school trip to Rhine Valley provides the perfect amount of time for pupils to learn about German history and culture and develop a deeper connection to their studies. The Rhine Valley has many wonderful attractions and activities to pique your students’ enthusiasm and keep them amused, but here are a few tried and tested highlights.
Aerial Views of the Valley
What better way to kick-start a school trip than a thrilling panoramic chairlift ride? The class is sure to love being lifted into the sky and the breathtaking panoramic views of the area. In addition to an exciting activity and a great way to get your bearings, the chairlift at Boppard is also an educational experience as you can highlight the significance of the surrounding geographical landmarks, which include the Deutsches Eck and the Germa-nia Monument.
Fortress Ehrenbreitstein
Now that the group has seen the great beauty of the area, they will be desperate to start exploring so that they can learn about the area and practice their German. First, it is worth visiting Deutsches Eck for amazing views of the Rhine, before heading to the other bank of the river for up-close views of the mighty Ehrenbreitstein fortress, which is the second largest in Europe. The site dates back to the Neolithic times, so there is a lot to learn about here.
Siegfrieds Musikkabinett
No educational trip is complete without heading off the beaten path to experience au-thentic culture and see how the locals live. The beautiful town of Rüdesheim is the per-fect spot to do this. The fun Siegfrieds Musikkabinett museum which you will find in the town is home to one of the biggest collections of mechanical music boxes on the planet. Here your class can learn about the societal importance of music throughout Germany’s history – this is always popular with students and provides unique knowledge that is not covered in their textbooks.
Phantasialand
Whilst a school trip is primarily educational, a trip to a theme park can allow your young charges to blow off some steam and have fun while they are away from home. This is also a nice way to thank them for their hard work and develop important friendships with their classmates and teaching staff. Phantasialand is a brilliant place for this; this magical, exhilarating, and colourful theme park is the second largest in the country. Adrenaline-pumping rollercoasters, entertaining live shows, fun games, and cool themed areas all await here.
Germany’s stunning Rhine Valley is a brilliant place for a language school trip as it pro-vides the perfect setting for students to experience authentic German culture and put their classroom knowledge into action.
John Gardiner is the Managing Director of The School Travel Company, a tour operator specialising in school trip itineraries for school and youth groups to the UK, Europe and beyond. As a father and avid traveller, John is very passionate about providing students with valuable and engaging learning experiences outside of the classroom. By sharing his expert advice with teachers, he allows them to inspire their students and bring their studies to life.