Exeter Cathedral

One of the prime tourist attractions of the South West is the 12th century Exeter Cathedral, which attracts 180,000 visitors a year, of which approximately 80,000 come from overseas.

Visitors to the Cathedral cannot fail to be impressed by the range of foreign language leaflets arrayed at the entrance, which covers no less than 13 languages including East as well as West European languages, Mandarin and Japanese. The materials were created with the help of volunteers over a period of 15 to 20 years. The Cathedral’s website has pages in Dutch, French, German, Italian, Polish and Spanish.

A latest initiative sees Exeter Cathedral teaming up with Year 10 pupils at Devonport High School for Girls in Plymouth, a specialist Language College in Plymouth. With help from their teachers, the students are planning to create a new leaflet for young visitors and an interactive DVD game in German.

The partnership was brokered by the Regional Language Network SW. Amanda Pléven, Devon and Cornwall adviser explained: “This is a marvellous chance for Exeter Cathedral to make an educational contribution by inspiring pupils to apply their language skills in a practical context. Hopefully, the experience will convince the students to continue language study.”

Canon Ann Barwood of Exeter Cathedral is keen for the collaboration to continue. “The pupils greatly enjoyed a day out at the Cathedral and I look forward to their creative talents being employed to develop new materials for teenage visitors from abroad. This is a wonderful learning opportunity in languages, history, business and tourism studies where creative talents can be employed.

“It is such a great thrill to hear the delight of our overseas visitors when they are given information in their own language – their eyes really light up, they instantly relax and look happier.”

The intention is to develop the project further with audio guides and/or DVDs in other languages that are offered at Devonport High School for Girls.

Visit the Exeter Cathedral website at www.exeter-cathedral.org.uk.

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