This week, our Mobility Team and Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) Department took three of our sixth form language students to Francini’s, a vibrant Colombian restaurant in Worcester. Len, George and Kacey enjoyed an immersive cultural and linguistic experience right in the heart of the city, where the atmosphere was warm, welcoming and full of authentic Latin American flavour.
The visit was not just about tasting delicious Colombian dishes — it was an opportunity for our NCW students to step outside the classroom and put their learning into practice. They embraced the challenge of speaking Spanish with native speakers, ordering food in the target language and engaging in real conversations that tested their vocabulary and confidence. Alongside the linguistic benefits, the students broadened their cultural horizons by trying traditional foods such as arepas and pandebono and learning about their origins.
This hands-on experience highlighted the value of combining mobility with language learning: students gained independence, cultural awareness and the joy of discovering how language connects people across communities.
Today the Open university and the A-level Spanish groups enjoyed a lovely visit to Francini’s, which is a beautiful Colombian restaurant in the centre of town. Quiero agradecer a movilidad y a la señora Molina la oportunidad. (I want to thank the mobility team and Mrs. Molina for the opportunity.) Me gustan las arepas. (I like arepas.) Also, we enjoyed pandebono, which is a traditional Colombian bread which is gluten-free. We also had the opportunity to enjoy some Colombian coffee in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. It was really great to be able to speak Spanish to the native Colombian staff and be able to order food and practise vocabulary we have learnt together in class.
Francini's is a beautiful restaurant that presents different cultures. Whilst I was there, I enjoyed Arepas and pandebono. Arepas are like pancakes but made of sweetcorn. They have ham and cheese on top. Pandebono is like a savoury doughnut made from yuca flower. It is quite crunchy. Quiero agradecer al equipo de movilidad la oportunidad de ir a Francinis hoy. (I want to thank the mobility team for the opportunity to go to Francinis today.) Muchas gracias señora Moody, señora Jones y señora Molina.
It didn’t end at the restaurant! Cesar, Francini’s owner, was delighted when our students offered to Braille the menu in both Spanish and English. This is a truly unique skill — very few people master both Braille codes, which differ significantly between the two languages. It’s a wonderful example of how NCW students combine language learning with accessibility and inclusion.
This outing was more than just a meal — it was a celebration of culture, language and community. Our students not only tasted authentic Colombian cuisine but also strengthened their confidence in Spanish, proving once again that learning thrives when it’s lived.
