Why immersive language learning matters more than ever

Our 2024/2025 All Abroad! Bus school visits are complete. The gegants and diablos have had their little makeovers and are enjoying a well-earned siesta. VR headsets, props, materials, food containers, activity sheets, stationery packs — all tidied away into their respective boxes, ready for the next outing. Photos uploaded. Feedback forms filed.

And one founder (me) finally sitting still long enough to take stock. What we’ve done this year matters. It matters more than ever.

Over the past 18 months, I’ve poured my heart, my energy, and frankly, my last reserves into keeping this idea alive. And I came close, really close, to giving it up. The business advice I received made sense: "schools don’t have the money for this!" "Focus on funders, come back to schools later."

But I didn’t walk away. Because when you sit in a classroom and watch a child light up because they’ve stepped into a different culture - when they say “that was the best lesson ever”, "I feel like I really went to Spain" you can’t unsee the impact.

In addition to some paid bookings, our brilliant Crowdfunder supporters alone enabled us to reach over 700 children and young people (aged 7 to 15), in 34 immersive sessions across five schools this summer - in four secondary schools and one primary. We brought French and Spanish to life through immersive 360 VR technology, food tasting, role play, traditions, storytelling and more. And every bit of it felt like defiance. In the best way!

Crowdfunded visits to schools in East Sussex, summer 2025.

The system is seriously under pressure.

This year’s Language Trends 2025 report makes it clear: languages in primary schools are struggling. Teachers are doing their best - but many lack time, training, or confidence to deliver meaningful language learning. Most children are starting secondary school with wildly different experiences. Many are starting from scratch. Meanwhile, secondary schools are battling budget cuts, recruitment crises, and pressure to focus elsewhere. It’s messy, unequal, and disheartening.

That’s exactly why All Abroad! Bus exists.

We’re not here as a gimmick or a ‘nice to have.’ We’re here as a bold, practical response to a real gap in provision. We bring cultural capital, joy, and real-world relevance directly to schools, on their terms, with no planning required from already stretched staff.

Further, our work supports

• Oracy and inclusion by giving pupils space to speak, share, perform and reflect.

• Engagement and aspiration, especially in areas where international experiences are rare or out of reach.

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We support the teachers trying to keep MFL afloat. We support schools looking for new ways to keep pupils curious. We support pupils who haven’t yet realised they’re global citizens.

It’s small-scale, but it’s not small impact

Yes, on paper we’re still a micro-enterprise. Yes, it’s been a tough road. But this work is real, and the need is growing.

This isn’t just about French and Spanish either. It’s about shifting the narrative around all languages in schools - making them visible, vital and vibrant again.

I don’t claim to have all the answers. But I do know this: immersion works. Culture builds connection. And curiosity can be the catalyst for a lifelong love of languages.

So here’s the bold bit

In 2025/26, I’m not playing small. I’m planning to:

• Expand to more schools, especially those facing disadvantage.

• Develop more immersive content tied to high-demand curriculum areas.

• Seek funding and partners so I can offer subsidised sessions to the schools who need it most.

• Start to explore themed experiences for transition support and EAL celebration.

• Look into adding more languages and more voices on board — because every pupil deserves a passport to the wider world.

We’re not just bringing languages to life, we’re bringing hope, identity, play, and possibility. If you’re a teacher, a language lead, a head, a governor, or someone who believes in the power of culture to transform learning, let's talk!