Widnes Vikings visit Wade Deacon High School, Birchfield Road, Widnes, to learn French before Toulouse match

Apr 16 2009 by Paul Glynn, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

WIDNES Vikings players went back to school recently to be taught French by Wade Deacon pupils ahead of their summer trip to Toulouse.

The Vikings, who are to travel to the continent on July 25 for their championship encounter, took part in an interactive language learning lesson which covered key rugby phrases, as well as basic conversation.

Pupils leading the lesson were put under the spotlight as it was filmed by Sky Sports.

Thierry Alibert, a French referee, joined the Vikings in their lesson and spent some time talking to Year 11 pupils about France and rugby.

Wade Deacon pupils, who sit their French GCSE exams in a few months, enjoyed the opportunity to converse in French with a native speaker.

Joanne Gaul, leader of modern foreign languages, said: “At Wade Deacon we encourage our pupils to broaden their language horizons. This opportunity has enabled them to see how valuable languages are outside the classroom.

“I am incredibly proud of our pupils for all their achievements in delivering these taster lessons to the Vikings.”