Our language and cooking incursions are immersive, hands-on events designed to teach language and cooking skills to school students.
What is a school language and cooking incursion?
School language and cooking incursions run by chef Luca are an educational program like no other! Together with his experienced team, they will visit your school to conduct a hands-on language and cooking event for your language students.
Bringing the experience directly to your school, there are no disruptions to student’s regular classes and timetable. All language and cooking classes are conducted within your scheduled lesson time slot.
Our teaching methodology
Our system has evolved over the past 18 years and is based on the CLIL method of teaching. Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) is an educational approach where students learn a subject, such as cooking, through the medium of a foreign language.
In CLIL, language is not taught as a separate subject; instead, it’s woven into the teaching of the main topic, making language learning natural and context based. We find this method especially effective for language and cooking because it engages multiple senses, and reinforces language through repetition and application, helping students retain both the language and the culinary skills they’ve learned.
For example, while making Italian Pasta Fresca, they start with simple ingredients like “uova” (eggs) and “farina” (flour), mixing them together to form the dough. As they learn the technique of kneading and rolling, they also practice verbs like “mescolare” (to stir) and “impastare” (to knead).
This dual focus on language and action makes the Italian words memorable and relevant, as students connect each word directly with a step in the pasta-making process. By the end of the session, they’ve not only crafted their own fresh pasta but also gained useful Italian vocabulary, reinforcing their language skills in a fun, practical context.
Benefits of a language and cooking incursion at your school:
Excitement
When students come to our event, they are excited to be involved in something new and are open to learning new skills. We often conduct multiple classes throughout a single day, and the excitement builds as the day progresses as students from earlier classes spread the word to their friends. This shines through in their positive engagement which always makes the day a great success and a memorable experience for every student.
Memorable
Our school incursions leave a lasting impression on students, making them a memorable event in their school experience. It’s not uncommon for older students to stop in and say hello, reminiscing about the fun they had at our events in previous years. For many students, it’s a formative experience that sparks a lifelong interest in cooking, language, and cultural exploration.
Cultural Awareness
Our events foster cultural awareness and an appreciation for global diversity at an early age. They build practical language skills and provide a creative outlet where students can develop culinary skills and learn teamwork. Our school incursions are a wonderful way for children to connect with both language and culture in a supportive, interactive setting.
Is there enough time for students to eat their dish?
Each language and cooking class is carefully structured to ensure there’s ample time for both cooking and enjoying the food. We follow a schedule that begins with a brief introduction to the recipe and ingredients, along with essential language vocabulary.
Finally, the schedule includes a dedicated eating time where students can sit down, taste their creations, and discuss their experience. This balance of cooking and eating gives students a full-circle experience, reinforcing their learning and giving them a sense of accomplishment.
What does the school need to provide?
We arrive with all necessary materials, including cooking equipment, ingredients, and safety gear so students can safely participate in preparing, cooking, and eating their dishes.
All we need from the school are some trestle tables and access to a sink for washing up. Ideal locations for our set up are a school hall or multi-function room.
How to get started…
Contact us here and let us know what language/s you teach and how many students will be attending the event.
We’ll work with you to formulate a detailed plan, provide a quote and send all the information you need to create the most memorable experience for your students.