Modern Foreign Languages

Modern Foreign Languages is an active department with enthusiastic staff, three teachers, supported by a language assistant from France. A variety of multi-media are used, including interactive whiteboards and audio-visual materials.

All girls joining in Year 7 (Remove) will learn French. In Year 8, (Inters) all girls do a Taster Course in Spanish, which some of them will take on as their second foreign language in Lower Transits (Year 9). They then choose to continue with either or both languages for GCSE. In Shell and Study (Year 11, 12 and 13), all girls have weekly conversation classes with our native-speaker assistante, giving them the opportunity to improve their fluency and to acquire a greater understanding of the country’s culture. The department has a well-established programme of educational and cultural trips to France and Spain. There is a regular schedule of popular cultural events, such as productions by the Onatti Theatre Company and, for the older pupils, cinema trips to see French or Spanish films.

Communicating in a foreign language is not only a vital skill in its own right but it also acts in a more general manner, widening the student’s experience and encouraging lateral thinking. The key tenet of our Department is ‘communication’.

Learning a foreign language is compulsory up to GCSE unless there is a disapplication (e.g. Dyslexia, EAL).

If required, girls coming into the Inters (Year 8) will be offered additional help to catch up. After a period of assessment, if they are deemed to be able to profit from this additional teaching, it will continue and their needs will be readdressed periodically.

If the girl is unable to catch up she will discontinue French and start Spanish in Lower Transits (Year 9).

Pupils coming in Upper Transits (Year 10) will be assessed and offered one extra period of tuition if required for the rest of the year.