Visiting German students enjoy the sights and sounds of Calderdale

Seven students from the Adolf Reichwein Gesamtschule in Ludenscheid arrived in Brighouse last Thursday and spent six days enjoying all the district has to offer.

It is the second year the exhange has run and it provides an invaluable experience for students from both England and Germany.

Alison Sinfield, a modern languages teacher at Brighouse High School, said: “The exchange has immense cultural and linguistic benefits for the Brighouse students, giving them increased confidence in their German exams and impacting very positively on their results.

“Friendships have been formed that we hope will last for many years.”

During their visit, the German students spent time with their host families and also spent time exploring the jewels in Yorkshire’s crown, with trips to the National Media Museum in Bradford, the Bronte Parsonage Museum in Haworth as well as a trip to York.

The students also ventured further afield to Liverpool, where they spent time soaking up culture at the Museum of Liverpool, the Albert Dock and The Beatles Story.

On their final day, the students took in the splendour of Halifax Town Hall.

Joined by members of the Brighouse-Ludenscheid Society, they had the opportunity to meet and talk to the Mayor of Calderdale, Pat Allen, who described the exchange as “fantastic”.

Astrid Ebnicher, an English teacher at Adolf Reichwein Gesamtschule, said: “We’ve done some really interesting things this week and it’s been helpful in getting the kids to talk the language.”

Stephanie Arnold, a pupil at the German school, added: “I’ve loved it.

“It’s been wonderful and we’ve formed lasting friendships. It’s great here and so different to Germany.”

Moira Marshall, a member of the Brighouse-Ludenscheid Society, said she was thrilled that the exchange had gone so well and hoped that it would encourage more people to join and enjoy the society.

The final evening of the exchange saw the group enjoy a farewell buffet at Bellini’s restaurant in Brighouse to celebrate the fantastic time they have had and the new friendships they have made.