FIVE Westhoughton students will be putting their language skills to the test when they head off to Germany next week for work experience.

The students, all lower sixth formers at Westhoughton High School, will be staying with local families. They will spend a week in a German school and another week as part of the German workforce.

Three of the students - Stephanie Dunn, Katherine Marsh and Sarah Stevens - will be working in primary schools, while Lara Halliwell will be employed in a sports centre and Laura Taylor tries out a banking career. Four of the girls are currently studying German at A-level and the fifth is a German speaker.

For three years Westhoughton High School has been involved in exchanges, but it is the first time work experience placements have been organised for older students.

Later in the year Westhoughton will play host to 15 students from the German school when they arrive for work experience with Bolton companies.

Simon Gill, head of careers and work experience at Westhoughton High School, said the project was an extension of the existing exchange visits which were already in place, and described the girls as "pioneers"

"It is the first time we have tried it and hopefully we can build on it," said Mr Gill, who will be accompanying the students on their visit.

"The students are all quite excited about it. Not only will they be staying with people they do not know, but they will also have to relate to the world of work. It is a great opportunity for them to develop their language skills, as they will be in an environment where they have to speak German."

But it won't be work all the time, as a number of excursions have been organised for the students during their fortnight's visit.

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