Language School Activity | Castles

Why Scottish Castles Are a Must on an English Language School Activity List

As an alternative English language school, we do many things a bit differently – so it might surprise you that we have a traditional castle visit on our English language school activity list, but we certainly do!

Read our blog to find out why you most certainly should visit a castle on your trip to Scotland.  Read on to discover one of our favourite castles, the fantastic Huntington Tower Castle Perthshire.

If There’s One Thing We Love, It’s a Castle 

I’m sure you know that Scotland is littered with the things. Some are private properties owned by international millionaires – but hundreds are owned and managed by Historic Scotland – or in a few cases, the National Trust.

It’s not really true, but a general rule is, if it has curtains, it’s a National Trust property, whereas rugged walls equal Historic Scotland. 

The work of these organisations means that over the last decades, this important part of the culture of our lands has been preserved and made accessible for visitors. 

Scottish castles are one of many types of buildings that attract heritage tourists and support tourism all across Scotland – and for good reason. They are amazing. 

But so are many other things. 

In terms of language learning pedagogy, why put castles on an English language school activity list?

Reason No. 1 | Immersive English Experiences | A New Built Environment

An immersive English experience is essentially when you are dipped into a situation where the language spoken around you is English. You have no alternative but to communicate in English.

Immersive English experiences are not role play. They are real-life contexts you must use your language skills to navigate.

Our theory is that changing your sensory world enhances the profoundness of this language experience.

Castles look, sound, smell and feel different to any other architectural experience. This difference sharpens your attention to every detail and makes language learned across your whole time in Scotland very memorable.

Reason No. 2 |  Imagination

Learning a language is about taking on a new identity. You are not the same person speaking a new language, you develop a new personality, cultural awareness and identity WITH the new skills you are learning.

That is freedom!

Freedom to be a new person with new powers – a superhero version of yourself!

Where better to explore this than walking the footsteps of kings, queens, knights and murderers through walls shaped by plots and intrigue.

Open your heart to a Scottish castle and grow a little bit of new you.

Reason No. 3 | Exploration

Whether you are the kind of person to imagine yourself in history – or (like me) you simply enjoy racing around seeing which corridors lead where, castles are liberating.

Our local castle, Huntingtower Castle is particularly good as it’s rarely busy.

Often we get the whole place to ourselves.

I’m not a great fan of trailing around in a group, in an ordered sequence of rooms – and at a set pace.

Instead, I like climbing staircases to see where they lead.

While I like to hang out in a particular room – and perhaps race through others to get there ( I do this in art galleries too).

I think the metaphor is obvious: explore English with us and follow the language points which interest you. Pick your pace and explore!

Many language schools show you a certain path and certain content. We will support you through the path you chose for yourself. 

See where it takes you!

Huntingtower Castle in Perthshire

One favourite local castle is Huntingtower Castle.

Huntingtower Castle Ceiling