1. How did you get the idea to organize the exchange with Gymnasium
Eckental?

When I came to Colyton we taught French and Spanish. I couldn’t understand
why German was not taught. Some parents asked for it too. So I started
German on a small scale. We organized happy trips to the Rhineland and by
1999 I felt it was time that we had real links with Germany and young German
people. By chance, I was contacted by someone who knew both Colyton and
Eckental.

2. How often have you organized the German exchange so far?

Every two years since 2000.

3. Do you always stay with different host families or do you have a “standard host family”?

I have had the pleasure of staying with Herr Roßmeissl, Frau Hermann, Frau
Machinek, Frau Seidel and Frau Jungeblodt.

4. What has been the best trip in Germany so far?

I love the experience every time. I cannot choose one year which was head
and shoulders above the others.

5. Have you ever lost one of your pupils?

It is the nightmare of every teacher. No, I haven’t.

 

6. What do you like most about the exchange?

Seeing pupils lose their fear of what is different and begin to enjoy what the
new. Seeing them discover the pleasures of travel and life in Germany as I did
when I was young.

 

7. What could be improved in the exchange in your opinion?

I would like pupils and their families to communicate with each other more
before the trips.

 

8. How do you assess the relation between the German and English pupils?

They get on very well, especially considering their age. They can be very
fussy at that stage and also miss their home and their own family. That delays
the process of acclimatization. Our pupils sometimes think themselves more
sophisticated than they are, but these factors always diminish over the course
of the exchange and everyone ends up much closer to each other.

 

9. What do you think about the partnership with Gymnasium Eckental?

It is worth working for and developing. For the English, we need to be
reminded constantly that most of the rest of the world speak their own
language. I am sure that the English teachers at Eckental and the teachers at
Colyton share a close understanding and work together excellently.

 

10. Do you think that the exchange results in a better command of English and more openness for other cultures?

Certainly. There is no doubt about it!