Case Study – Maisie Palmer, France – July 2024

My time in France has allowed me to develop in so many ways, and I want to thank the John Speak Foundation bursary for playing a huge role in keeping me on top of my language-learning whilst studying my Master’s. The monthly blogs have kept me focused and allowed me to build my written language…

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Case Study – Marianne McCready, France 2023

I would first and foremost like to thank the John Speak Language Trust for supporting me during my experience in France. Thanks to your support not only have I been able to cover living costs, but I have also been able to explore more of the country and live new cultural experiences. The opportunity to…

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Marianne McCready: Ici à Paris ! – January 2023

Je suis très heureuse de vous informer que je suis arrivée à Paris ! J’ai passé mes premières deux semaines en je me repérais dans cette grande ville. C’est incroyable de sentir plus en plus a l’aise en parler français, en lire des pancartes et comprendre des directions quand je les demande ! Je suis…

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Rhoda Yaa Assah Manu, Reunion Island, Saint-Denis – September 2019

Bienvenue à l’île de La Réunion! Ce pays est incroyable, merveilleux en fait. Au moment où j’écris, cela fait exactement un mois que je suis arrivée à Saint Denis, la capitale et plusieurs choses se sont passées depuis tout ce temps! J’ai habité toute ma vie à Londres et on peut imaginer le choc culturel…

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November in Paris: Molly Jeffs, France – November 2018

Paris – La Sorbonne – Novembre 2018 – Molly Jeffs Comme toujours, les deux derniers mois ont filé à toute vitesse. La vie parisienne a devenu normale et c’est même difficile d’imaginer les cours en anglais. Maintenant qu’on est tout à l’aise dans le nouveau rythme de vie je le trouve intéressant de se souvenir…

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Anthony Kassapian – Case Study,

The year was 1960, I was nineteen years old, working in the wool trade for the family business, Kassapians (Combers) Limited.  I applied for a John Speak Trust Scholarship to finance a six month study/voluntary working trip to France to improve my French and broaden my horizons. Unfortunately I had experienced a rocky start on…

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Amy Clark – Palma de Mallorca – June 2015

Debido al hecho que este es la última vez que estaré escribiendo sobre mis experiencias extranjeros me gustaría expresar mi gratitud a John Speak Languages Trust para darme la ocasión para aprovechar de mis estancias en Francia y en España. Esta beca me ayudaba mucho durante esos diez meses, me ha permitido hacer cosas que…

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Amy Clark – Montpelier, France

During my two months in France I have been immersed into the French culture and language, my language skills have vastly improved.  Each day, I have a little more confidence when I’m speaking to other French speakers and I feel that people are becoming friendlier, especially at work! ​

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Frank Clayton – Case Study, 1949 (Tarn, France)

“Thanks to the language skills I gained following my scholarship and my time in France, I was involved in the export trade for many years throughout my career”. At my school it had been compulsory for ‘A stream’ students to study French and Latin.  Ideally, I would have preferred to study French and German but…

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Derek Platts – Case Study, Brussels (1954)

“It was wonderful to see that the Trust is still going and providing the same opportunities to young people after all this time.  May it long continue to do so”, Derek Platts.  Sixty years ago in 1954, I was 23, had recently completed my national Service in the RAF and was working in my first…

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Alexander Arch, France – September 2014

Je suis devenu plus stable en France ce mois, je me suis inscrit une salle de gym et joint une équipe de rugby, donc j’ai une routine maintenant, je fait quelque chose tous les jours. J’ai eu la chance d’acheter le billets pour les matchs de PSG dans le Ligue des Champions, il m’excite parce…

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