Kate Is Learning More Than Just a Language at College
Seventeen-year-old Kate Baird tells us how she’s learning more than just a language through studying Advanced Higher French at College while she’s still at school.
“I’m currently a pupil at Balerno High School, as well as an Edinburgh College student. I’ve always known I wanted to continue my studies in French and when I discovered Higher French wasn’t an option at my school, I knew I just had to find another way to do it. When I saw it was offered as a Schools College Partnership (SCP) course at Edinburgh College it was a no brainer for me. The course was added to my school timetable which meant I could attend College part-time, as well as school. I come to College twice-a-week on a Tuesday and Thursday afternoon.
“I’ve now progressed onto the French Advanced Higher course and I’m learning more than just a language – I’m really enjoying finding out more about French culture, as well as the French language as part of my course. College is a really different environment to school, you have a lot more freedom and responsibility for your work. There’s a mix of people who attend and you meet plenty of interesting people. None of my school friends are in my College class but I’ve met lots of others who I wouldn’t ordinarily have the chance to meet if I continued just studying at school.
“As someone who wants to go to university, College is a great stepping stone to getting there. Jumping straight from school to university would have been a big thing for me to do. Coming to College has really helped me to build my confidence and communication skills. My lecturers encourage me to speak French whenever I can to make sure I’m constantly learning and developing.
“Edinburgh College has given me an opportunity to do a course I’ve been wanting to do for a very long time. What’s next for me? I have applied to study French and Business at university next year and really hope that language will be a big part of whatever I do for the rest of my life. One day, I’d like to use my qualifications to be an interpreter or translator for the United Nations. That would be pretty cool.”
Find out more about the Schools College Partnership (SCP) courses available at Edinburgh College.
