The Art of a Successful Treasure Hunt for Language Schools/Foreign Students. And Which Nationality Are the Best at Treasure Hunts!?
Posted on: 15/03/2024By Tim Carter (Owner of Black Cat Treasure Hunts)
Tomorrow I am visiting Hastings to prepare for a treasure hunt for 80 French students around the town. The students, who are visiting in April, will be split into 8 teams of 10 with a teacher each to help organise them. Hastings has been the venue for several birthday treasure hunts over the last few years, but this will be the first one for a foreign school trip. It has got me thinking of course as to what makes for a smooth booking and good treasure hunt for language school/foreign students and beyond that which nationality are the best at treasure hunts!
Communication:
Of course this could apply to any booking but it is important to be aware of any cultural or language differences. Often it is the English teacher who is responsible for liaising from the foreign school end anyway, so I am generally on safe ground!
I like to think I am speedy at replying to all enquiries and follow up questions, and this is always appreciated by my European friends.
Get the format and style clear:
With a hen party treasure hunt it is generally accepted that the group would like to get orientated around their chosen destination whilst having a lot of fun in teams or maybe as one group. Once again, although that statement could apply across all types of treasure hunt booking, there is the additional consideration here of an educational element. In this instance the requirement to accommodate large teams is a factor too because normally I will state my preference or guidelines. It`s handy or requested to get one or two challenges included that involve the students practicing their English too. Be aware though this is a Black Cat Treasure Hunt...no more "Ou est la gare?" (Where is the station?)...more.." Qui etait le roi dans la Bataille d`Hastings in 1066?!"
Level of English:
This is a key one that can make or break the treasure hunt. Adapting the wording of the treasure hunt so that it is not too full of English idioms or unusual words is a key factor. I send a first draft to the organiser to allow them to advise if any changes need to be made to make the language more accessible to the students. The year group is a factor to keep an eye on too.
I whisper this gently...so keep it to yourselves, but of the treasure hunts I have written for different nationalities I have noticed that German students of a similar age to a French student group tend to be a little more at ease with the level of English I send for checking. Now, I`m sure the French group coming to Hastings will have superb English (better than my Google inspired French I`m sure) so I guess there will be differences across schools from the same country too.
Any English words or phrases that are essential to the treasure hunt but may be difficult at first glance can be flagged up in advance and presented with a handy translation nearby or learnt before arrival. Honestly...I have thought of everything!
Lots of handy, local knowledge suggestions:
I feel strongly that we should look after visitors from abroad and make their stay as enjoyable as possible. For my part I aim to give as many useful tips as I can. For example, it could be where the coaches can park or what the quickest route is from the ferry terminal or what are the best value activities in the town where the group are staying.
The group who are coming to Hastings are actually stopping at the Seven Sisters (spectacular cliffs in Seaford) near where I happen to live. I have sent them info on the best route to walk to the cliffs and have a picnic and additional information about what they might be able to see on the way. Now...tell me another treasure hunt company who are doing the same.
Go on then...which nationality are the best at treasure hunts when visiting England?:
Aah...I was hoping you might have forgotten that I had mentioned I was going to answer that question! After all you never know who is reading this and my lovely French group visiting Hastings will be expecting me to say the French.
Well, I have to trawl back through the years to see which nationalities have been over. Last year there was a fantastic German group in Chichester and, to be fair, an almost equally adept French group in Brighton. The Germans are back this year for a Brighton treasure hunt too. I have to say they take some beating.
The Dutch have been over but that was for a stag do treasure hunt rather than an educational, student visit! I guess it could have been educational in some respects. The Norwegians always make enquiries through agencies but never get round to booking! What is it with you guys? Possibly their English (like most Scandanavians) is too good, and they are looking for a more cultural activity such as a tour around the Royal Pavilion.
Icelanders (Icelandics?) have been over but they were adults. Similarly, a group of adult Russians/Kazakhstani`s visited. Half of them were fluent and the other half didn`t speak a word. I am digressing though! Austrian students visited a few years back now and they were really good! Made the Germans look like beginners. I see way back I had a treasure hunt for Spanish students...I honestly can`t remember how good they were, but I am thinking not as proficient as the Austrians.
It seems over the years I have specialised in treasure hunts across Sussex for French and German students interspersed with occasional visits from other nationalities (not all of whom admittedly have been students). If you are planning a trip to Sussex this year, or even in 2025, please get in contact with me, Tim, via email on info@blackcattreasurehunts.co.uk or phone (44) 1323 655346 if calling from abroad.
If you are from an Italian, Belgian, Swedish or (at long last) a Norwegian school then do it today!
Level of English:
This is a key one that can make or break the treasure hunt. Adapting the wording of the treasure hunt so that it is not too full of English idioms or unusual words is a key factor. I send a first draft to the organiser to allow them to advise if any changes need to be made to make the language more accessible to the students. The year group is a factor to keep an eye on too.
I whisper this gently...so keep it to yourselves, but of the treasure hunts I have written for different nationalities I have noticed that German students of a similar age to a French student group tend to be a little more at ease with the level of English I send for checking. Now, I`m sure the French group coming to Hastings will have superb English (better than my Google inspired French I`m sure) so I guess there will be differences across schools from the same country too.
Any English words or phrases that are essential to the treasure hunt but may be difficult at first glance can be flagged up in advance and presented with a handy translation nearby or learnt before arrival. Honestly...I have thought of everything!
Lots of handy, local knowledge suggestions:
I feel strongly that we should look after visitors from abroad and make their stay as enjoyable as possible. For my part I aim to give as many useful tips as I can. For example, it could be where the coaches can park or what the quickest route is from the ferry terminal or what are the best value activities in the town where the group are staying.
The group who are coming to Hastings are actually stopping at the Seven Sisters (spectacular cliffs in Seaford) near where I happen to live. I have sent them info on the best route to walk to the cliffs and have a picnic and additional information about what they might be able to see on the way. Now...tell me another treasure hunt company who are doing the same.
Go on then...which nationality are the best at treasure hunts when visiting England?:
Aah...I was hoping you might have forgotten that I had mentioned I was going to answer that question! After all you never know who is reading this and my lovely French group visiting Hastings will be expecting me to say the French.
Well, I have to trawl back through the years to see which nationalities have been over. Last year there was a fantastic German group in Chichester and, to be fair, an almost equally adept French group in Brighton. The Germans are back this year for a Brighton treasure hunt too. I have to say they take some beating.
The Dutch have been over but that was for a stag do treasure hunt rather than an educational, student visit! I guess it could have been educational in some respects. The Norwegians always make enquiries through agencies but never get round to booking! What is it with you guys? Possibly their English (like most Scandanavians) is too good, and they are looking for a more cultural activity such as a tour around the Royal Pavilion.
Icelanders (Icelandics?) have been over but they were adults. Similarly, a group of adult Russians/Kazakhstani`s visited. Half of them were fluent and the other half didn`t speak a word. I am digressing though! Austrian students visited a few years back now and they were really good! Made the Germans look like beginners. I see way back I had a treasure hunt for Spanish students...I honestly can`t remember how good they were, but I am thinking not as proficient as the Austrians.
It seems over the years I have specialised in treasure hunts across Sussex for French and German students interspersed with occasional visits from other nationalities (not all of whom admittedly have been students). If you are planning a trip to Sussex this year, or even in 2025, please get in contact with me, Tim, via email on info@blackcattreasurehunts.co.uk or phone (44) 1323 655346 if calling from abroad.
If you are from an Italian, Belgian, Swedish or (at long last) a Norwegian school then do it today!
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