Recently, G11 students in our French, Spanish and German classes traveled to four destinations for a day of immersive learning: Thonon-les-Bains & Yvoire in France, Saanen & Gstaad, and Geneva in Switzerland. Each location served as a living classroom, giving students the chance to practice real conversation, sharpen their communication skills, and engage directly with the culture behind the language they study. It's another example of how LAS brings learning out into the world, turning classroom lessons into authentic, memorable experiences

From Textbook to Thonon: A Day of French Immersion
Thonon-les-Bains & Yvoire (France)

Our French students crossed the border into France for a day that transformed language learning into lived experience. Their first stop was the vibrant open-air market in Thonon-les-Bains, set along the shores of Lake Geneva. Students engaged with local vendors, negotiated prices, conducted impromptu interviews, and navigated the beautiful unpredictability of real conversation—all in French! What stood out most was their willingness to take risks. Students initiated conversations, adapted when misunderstood, and persisted with genuine enthusiasm!

In the afternoon, the group traveled to Yvoire, a picturesque medieval village whose flower-lined streets seemed almost designed for curiosity. Over ice cream, crêpes, and waffles, students continued speaking French in the most natural way possible—through the small, unhurried moments that invite real connection. The day was a reminder that language thrives where communication truly matters.

 

Comparing Classroom German to Swiss German in Gstaad
Saanen & Gstaad (Switzerland)

For our IB Ab-Initio German students, the day began at the Museum der Landschaft in Saanen, where a guided tour explored the agriculture, tourism, and deep-rooted history of the Gstaad region. It was a fascinating opportunity to hear Swiss German in its natural context and hold it up against the standard German students study in class. The contrast between textbook German and the Swiss dialect gave students a richer, more honest picture of the language as it is actually lived.

After the museum, the group drove into Gstaad for a scavenger hunt through town, putting newly acquired vocabulary to practical use before rounding off the day with lunch at a local restaurant. It was a grounding, well-timed experience at exactly the right point in the unit.

A Day of Spanish in Geneva: Rhythm, Food, and the United Nations
Geneva (Switzerland)

While Geneva might not be the first place that comes to mind for speaking Spanish, students in our IB Spanish class found many opportunities to engage in the language in this multicultural city. The morning opened with an energetic workshop on Latin rhythms, tracing the history and steps of merengue, bachata, and salsa before students took to the dance floor themselves. Language, it turns out, lives in the body as much as on the page. At lunchtime, small groups navigated Geneva independently, seeking out restaurants from Spanish-speaking countries and gathering material for a follow-up Trip Advisor-style review. 

Students were also encouraged to seek out Spanish speakers, conducting short interviews about life in Switzerland and cultural differences. The day closed with a guided tour of the United Nations which was conducted entirely in Spanish and connected the language to global themes at the heart of the IB curriculum.

Back in the classroom, these language excursions become a springboard for learning and building confidence—the kind of confidence that only comes from real world experiences!