The Modern Languages Department firmly believes that learning a language is a core life skill. High quality teaching and learning is enhanced with an international dimension that continuously contextualises students’ learning. All our students have the opportunity to experience other cultures and in this context fulfil their academic, social and personal potential. Pupils learn languages in a creative and stimulating environment in which they feel confident to take risks and succeed.
The Department runs an engaging programme of events including trips and exchanges abroad.
Years 7 to 9
In Language lessons the boys have the opportunity from the word go to express their own opinions and ideas on a range of topics such as their family, pets, food, home and hobbies. This is an exciting course with an emphasis on real life communication as well as on equipping the students with essential language learning skills. We support them to become confident and capable learners with a real interest and passion for both the language, the people and the culture.
The boys build on prior knowledge, further exploring in depth the fascinating language and culture that they have chosen to study at GCSE. The skills that they acquire in the lessons allow them to confidently embrace the ambitious curriculum. Our students are prepared well for the exams and are able to successfully complete the course.
The five themes are:
- Identity and culture
- Local area, holiday and travel
- Future aspirations, study and work
- International and global dimension.
All themes and topics are studied in the context of both the students’ home country and that of countries and communities where the language is spoken. Skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing, including translation will be tested.
In Language lesson at Key Stage 5 the boys embark upon life enhancing, in-depth exploration of the language and culture they study. By having the opportunity to research their own areas of interest, they develop the necessary skills to become independent learners who are ready for Higher Education. This challenging, broad and ambitious course opens up countless future career possibilities.
Students are assessed through 3 papers:
- Listening, Reading & Translation into English
- Written Translation into the language and response to a literary text/film
- Speaking -discussion of a theme and presentation & discussion on independent research project.