Learning Through Taste – Grade 7 Explores French Culture

At Berlin Cosmopolitan School, learning French goes far beyond vocabulary and grammar — it becomes a cultural experience that engages all the senses.

This is exactly what Grade 7 students experienced in their recent French lessons.

Learning a foreign language always means discovering a new world: traditions, customs, and of course, cuisine. At BCS, this holistic approach is a key part of our pedagogy.

As part of the Semaine de la langue française et de la Francophonie (January 17–23) and as a conclusion to their unit on traditions across French-speaking countries, Grade 7 students became chefs themselves.

Just before the Easter break, the classroom turned into a small French pâtisserie. With great enthusiasm, students prepared crêpes and choux pastry, known as chouquettes.

But this was about much more than baking:

• recipes were read and followed in French
• new vocabulary was applied in a practical context
• students explored the cultural background of the dishes

The result was a learning experience that was not only educational, but also joyful, memorable, and engaging.

Experiences like this show the value of teaching language in context. When students actively engage with culture, learning becomes meaningful, tangible, and lasting.

In an international school environment like BCS, this approach also strengthens intercultural understanding and curiosity — essential skills for the future.

More Than a Lesson: At Berlin Cosmopolitan School, learning a language means discovering a culture.

And sometimes, that journey begins with something as simple — and delicious — as a crêpe.

Inspired by this experience? There is more to come.

On Thursday, April 23rd, BCS will host its Romance Language Night, celebrating French and Spanish languages and cultures.

The evening will feature:

• student presentations, posters, and videos from language classes and trips
• insights into intercultural projects
• French and Spanish food, as well as musical performances

An event that brings languages to life — and the school community together.