A Journey to... for GCSE French, Spanish and German

French: Marseille | Spanish: Asturias | German: Salzburg

Activity Packs

Take your class on an exciting journey with these unique and creative activity packs. Explore new places and cultures in real-life situations as students learn how to order food, write a postcard or organise an outing.

An original resource with lots of accessible and imaginative activities which will surely motivate pupils

J Briden, Head of French & Peer Reviewer

Target language focused

  • Authentic materials – respond to Instagram posts, train announcements or conversations with friends.
  • Interactive activities – engage with a variety of individual, pair and group tasks.
  • Skills-based learning – practise listening, reading, speaking and writing in preparation for the exams.
10 units:
  1. Planning a trip
  2. Buying items for the journey
  3. The journey
  4. Arrival
  5. Sightseeing
  6. Sporting event
  7. Eating and nightlife
  8. The journey home
  9. Reflections on the trip
  10. The impact of tourism

Supports the spec

10 units include content based on GCSE topics from the 2016 specifications of all exam boards:

  • Family, Friends, Relationships
  • Hobbies, Films, Music, Social Media
  • Traditions and festivals
  • Holiday/Travel
  • Home Town/City
  • Healthy Living
  • Environmental Issues

Fits into any scheme of work

  • Pre-prepared lessons – each unit includes a starter, comprehension tasks and a pair/group activity suitable for classwork, for homework or as cover lessons.
  • Adaptable for all learners, with extra challenge activities to stretch and motivate your high achievers.
  • Easy marking! All answers provided, suitable for self- or peer assessment.

What do teachers say about this resource? (11133)

I love this resource: it is creative and relevant and will capture my learners’ imagination. This resource covers most topics of the 2016 GCSE specifications in a very creative way: It not only introduces learners to aspects of the culture of Germany and Austria, but is also set in a realistic context that young learners will be able to relate to: travelling independently for the first time. Considering that learning about the culture of the target language community is strongly linked to motivation to learn the language, this resource will offer a welcome addition to the textbook. The resource does not only consolidate and develop students’ language skills, it does this in an authentic and engaging context. Most young people can relate to the idea of planning a visit abroad and are looking forward to experiencing a holiday with friends and without parents. The activities are therefore not only relevant to the GCSE specification, but also to the life experience and aspirations of our students. It also introduces a German-speaking country as a potential holiday destination that they may not otherwise consider. Many of the tasks are similar to the type students will encounter in the GCSE exam. I particularly like the fact that each unit encourages students to work cooperatively, in pairs or in groups. There is also ample scope for independent learning, with many suggestions for internet research or homework.This resource will capture our learners’ imagination, as well as developing their linguistic skills and cultural knowledge. I am particularly impressed with how the author manages to include the GCSE topic “Global Issues” in unit 10, where she gets learners to reflect on the global impact on tourism.

E Lamb, Teacher & Peer Reviewer

I feel that it offers something very different and unique compared to the other GCSE resources out there, which tend to be very skill-specific and separated out by skill. This fits in with many elements of the specification, not just Holidays. There are elements that cross-reference other topics such as food and drink, hobbies and sport and also elements of the grammar specification such as the imperative and tenses.I feel that the resource has an implicit objective to keep students motivated, i.e. getting to Salzburg and then reviewing the trip. I also think there is a very good range of activities and although some activities may be too challenging for Foundation students with a low target grade, the resource is, on the whole, accessible to all. It enhances learning by offering an insight into the cultural life of German-speaking countries and therefore promotes intercultural competence, an often overlooked aspect of MFL teaching. It could also be used for homework/independent learning, which is a major advantage.

L Williscroft-Ferris, Teacher of MFL & Peer Reviewer

What do teachers say about this resource? (11476)

I think that it is a great resource for the more able GCSE students as it has lots of great exercises to practise all 4 language skills.

I like the fact that there are a variety of activities to practise most language skills, such as writing, reading and listening activities

It offers great opportunity for students to gain confidence and knowledge to pass their GCSE exams, especially the listening and the reading elements of it.

J Ermina, MFL teacher & Peer Reviewer

I find it to be very useful and interesting. The document reflects that author’s hard work and creativity with the different types of exercises. I believe that this resource could be used effectively to teach Spanish GCSE and therefore, I was very pleased to review it. I particularly like the reading activities as it reflects different types of texts you may encounter in different situations while traveling. I strongly believe that this resource is particularly useful if the school using it are intending to do a school trip to Spain as the whole content relates to traveling in Spain. I also think that this resource could aid students in the GCSE exam.

H Fernandes, Spanish Teacher & Peer Reviewer

What do teachers say about this resource? (10708)

This is an original resource with lots of accessible and imaginative activities which will surely motivate pupils. The introduction is easy enough for all pupils to understand and should give a welcome boost of confidence and give them encouragement to do this resource. This is important as they move towards the end of the course – we want them to have a can-do attitude! Because of the range of topics and skills covered, this resource is a valuable source of revision materials for pupils. A wide range of vocabulary is covered and yet it also offers the chance for pupils to research their own items eg. unit 2 items for the journey starter and the items for a desert island pair / group task.
I like the fact that the situations are ones which pupils might find themselves in one day and this gives them the ideas and language to cope with them (even in English eg. with the stolen wallet in unit 8). Linking this to a cluedo-style activity in a group is super – they will love it! I like the story and the idea of going on a trip covers lots of topics required at GCSE. For AQA these topics are covered in units 1 > 8 (out of 12 units) and if covered in a linear way, it is likely that this resource could be used roughly from the end of year 10 onwards as revision. I would personally enjoy using this as revision, partly because it covers so many topics and all language skills and partly because by this stage of the course, it will provide a welcome break from the text book. I like the fact that each chapter fits neatly onto 2 pages – in the pupils’ eyes, this will make it seem manageable. The photos add real interest and will appeal to the pupils, as does the inclusion of a variety of styles: tweets, Instagram, texts.

J Briden, Head of French & Peer Reviewer