Tell us about the project?
Discover London is a whole new approach to teaching. There’s been a strong shift in recent years to taking learning outside the classroom, and this is the logical conclusion of that – learning English, business studies and art history on the streets of London, without ever seeing the inside of a classroom at all. It’s for 14-17 year olds and the first lesson takes place actually inside a tube station. Our students are accompanied by language facilitators who direct them on a language learning experience on the streets of London. Students gain confidence in navigating the city, they improve their English through being surrounded by the language and guided by qualified teachers, gain a huge amount of knowledge about business, geography, history and art throughout the lessons – and they form amazingly strong friendships with their peers on the course.
What is unique about this project?
Tens of thousands of young students visit London every summer. They tend to either be in school, studying, or out and about being tourists, visiting typical touristic destinations. The Discover London programme takes the learning out of the classroom and puts it right onto the streets of London. We have found over the years that one of the most important factors in learning is confidence. Navigating the streets of a place like Shoreditch, which is both friendly and challenging in different ways, gives our students a huge boost. That’s why we wanted Discover London students to go off the beaten track and visit places that most students don’t get the opportunity to Discover.
Why do you choose Shoreditch to do this?
We chose Shoreditch for three reasons:
· Our students are intelligent young people, and Shoreditch is full of intelligent young people
· Shoreditch is a creative and technological mecca – street art, design, markets, architecture, silicon roundabout. The Discover London programme is creative and tech heavy, with collaboration organised through Facebook and mobile phones replacing exercise books.
· The culture and vibe of Shoreditch is rich and strong, it is undeniably London and undeniably international. Our students pick up this, and they are naturally drawn to it.
What are your favorite businesses in the area?
Rough Trade East is my favourite record shop in the world and may have played a small role in my wanting Discover London lessons to take in Brick Lane!
The Truman Brewery is a wonderful democratic creative space.
The Macbeth is one of my favourite music venues. If only more venues were the same!
What are you future plans?
Discover London has been a huge hit this year, so we plan to expand next year. If you see one of our groups in the middle of a lesson on Great Eastern Street next summer, be sure to give them a great Shoreditch welcome!
Social links:
Twitter: @ICSlondon
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/skoladiscoverlondon
Website: https://www.skola.co.uk
