Last week our third parcel from the Anne Frank Realschule in Ahaus, Germany arrived. Eighty-eight students have a pen pal with whom they correspond through both German and English. The German students also write in both languages with the theme of each letter decided in advance by the teachers involved.

The first letters included an introduction in the foreign language and a timetable in the native language as well as a discussion of the favourite subjects and school. This proved very interesting and there are major differences between the school day in the two countries (the Irish working much longer hours and much harder!). The second letter included a Christmas card and information about food and the celebration of Christmas in the student’s family. The cards we received from our German pen pals were very interesting to read in our groups in class. Students learned a lot about the German culture and found that like here in Ireland, the Germans do not all celebrate Christmas the same way. To ensure that the Christmas cards arrived in time, the Germans wrote their cards explaining how they celebrate Christmas (in German) and posted them the same time that we posted our cards explaining how we celebrate Christmas (in English) and our letters in which we wrote more about our interests in German.

Last week we received the reply to our letters. Students are getting to know their partners better, with topics like interests, hobbies and music being shared.   In our next letter, we will be writing in German about our interests, school, food and also a section in English about how we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and Easter.

The project involves each student writing and receiving four letters and a Christmas card. There is always great anticipation and excitement when the letters are expected. Some of the students involved may even have the opportunity to meet their pen pals when they travel on the School Tour to Germany next December.

/Portals/0/Website/Pen Pal letters.jpg