France - FSG

For Year 10 French students, writing to native speakers provided an authentic purpose for language learning, increasing motivation and confidence in applying vocabulary and grammar in meaningful contexts.

The project also strengthened relationships between partner schools through genuine pupil-to-pupil collaboration. Students responded directly to one another's work, asked questions and shared personal experiences, creating friendships that extended beyond individual lessons. These exchanges have provided a strong foundation for the reciprocal visits in 2026 between FSG and Collège louis Blériot. Students write to their pen pals at least 3 times across a school year and because of this long standing connection, may of our A-level students are still in contact with their pen pals from Year 10 now.

Students commented that: 

"I wrote to my French pen pal about my hobbies, my family, my friends and about school. I really enjoyed the experience because I got to meet amazing new people I never would have otherwise and I also got to learn more about other cultures."

"In my pen pal letter I wrote about what I looked like, some of my hobbies such as playing the piano and drawing and even though my pen pal was switched, Lucas, my new pen pal, was lots of fun to hang out with and take to lessons when Collège louis Blériot visited our school in June 2026. I really enjoyed writing to them because I got to learn something new about my first pen pal and got to meet new people when they came to our school."

As part of our commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), students at Folkestone Girls’ School have been developing meaningful international connections through pen‑pal letters with our partner school, Collège Louis Beirot in Sangatte. This ongoing communication followed by in person exchange, supports Quality Education (SDG 4) and Global Partnership (SDG 17) by encouraging pupils to broaden their cultural understanding, practise language skills, and engage thoughtfully with global citizenship. Through these letters, students reflect on shared values, learn from one another’s experiences, and strengthen the sense of community that lies at the heart of sustainable development.