Sawyers Hall College languages teacher Dominique Saywell speaks fluent Russian and is seen here working with year 8 students in their MFL Modern Foreign Languages lesson. The students have spent time studying aspects of modern Russia and looking at the many traditions and customs they have.

Standing in front of a region map students demonstrated the use of the traditional Samovar Kettle or urn for heating water and making tea. They also tasted small ring shaped cakes called Sushki and traditional buns known as Prianiki. When asked why she was teaching Russian to the students, Ms Saywell answered “I wanted to broaden their linguistic skills”. Dominique has taught at the school for 10 years and has seen many changes yet is excited by the level of ability and interaction she sees in the students coming through the college now. “They have really enjoyed these Russian lessons and I have been impressed by the level of general knowledge that they already have which makes this sort of extension activity all the more rewarding”. “We will be going on to look at other world languages in the future”.
An Italian Teacher is also currently working at the college to give extra language experience to years 8,9 and 10.

“We want our students to gain a wide variety of experiences whilst they study at Sawyers Hall as we live and work in an increasingly global economy. Understanding other cultures and languages are a very important part of being a world citizen” said Stephen Capper, Headteacher. “Although the Internet has broken down many of the world's borders in terms of access to other cultures we feel it is important that our student’s get some first hand contact and these extra language studies do just that”.

The college also arranges trips to France, Belgium, Italy, the United States and Malta as part of student extension activities.

More information on Sawyers Hall College can be found on their website at www.sawyershall.org.uk They have just bid to become Brentwood’s first Sports Specialist College and have recently gained the Investors In People Award.

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