Visit to the Victoria & Albert Museum

On the 5th December 2008 our class went on a visit to the Victoria and Albert Museum in the centre of London. We got on the Victoria Line at Walthamstow to Finsbury Park where we changed on to the Piccadilly line too South Kensington. For some of us it was the first time we had visited a museum in London.

Shobha Mistry, the museum’s ESOL Guide, met us at the door of the museum and our exciting journey began. First of all she told us that it was named in memory of Queen Victoria and her husband, Prince Albert and it was opened in 1909.

We had asked her to show us round the Indian, Islamic and Chinese galleries and the William Morris Green room. There were many beautiful objects including: a wine cup made from jade for Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan: a ‘geese’ box in which the body of each goose forms a small goose; the Ardabil carpet which is the oldest and largest Persian carpet in the world. Interestingly, William Morris, who was born in Walthamstow, advised the museum to buy it for £2,000.

We were delighted by the stories Shobha told us which transported us to different countries and times. She was articulate, passionate and her language was colourful and simple to understand. Afterwards, we sat in the William Morris Green room to have our refreshments and exchanged impressions.

It was a memorable experience and has given us the key to unlock our own and other cultures. So we all want to return with children, friends and family.

If any tutor would like to arrange a visit for their students, the V&A’s Education Officer is Clare Martin and her number is 020 7942 2211 or e mail bookings.office@vam.ac.uk

This article was written by Nasreen, Maryam, Natasha, Maureen & Lucy from the Level 1/Entry 3 English class held at Friday Hill House