A COLLEGE’S Spanish tapas evenings, trips to famous literary sites and the creation of mini-soap operas have received praised by an education watchdog.

Nelson and Colne College is one of only four North West colleges which have been commended for their novel approach to teaching English and foreign language in a new report by Ofsted.

The work done to improve the teaching of languages at the Barrowford Road college, has now been included in Ofsted’s Children’s Services and Skills research work at Bolton Community College, Oldham Sixth Form College and Runshaw College.

Nelson and Colne College’s has developed several initiatives to help its students learn more about both English and foreign languages.

These have included tapas evenings, where all menus were written in Spanish and the catering team provided an array of Spanish food.

French students are also due to visit Paris while English students studying Wuthering Heights have visited the Brontes’ home town of Haworth and those learning about Sylvia Plath visited Heptonstall.

Mike Smith, senior management team member, said: “As a Learning and Skills Beacon College, it is vital that Nelson and Colne College remains at the forefront of innovation.

“The report recognises the wonderful job being done by our teaching team and the advancements, which are being made each year to improve the level of expertise which is passed on to our students.”

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector Christine Gilbert said engaging students’ curiosity and stimulating debate was always the key to learning a modern language or fully appreciating the English language.

She said: “This report serves to prove that, in the best teaching, helping students to really live the language is key.

“Those interested in achieving success in modern foreign languages and English language and literature should learn from the examples of good practice highlighted here.”