Modern Foreign Languages

INTRODUCTION

The MFL Department seeks to inspire students and foster a love for foreign languages, be they French, German, Spanish or indeed Italian. We are increasingly aware of the need to promote languages given the continuing demise of the subjects in English schools. British companies are continually on the lookout for students with ability in a foreign language. Our results over the last fifteen years have been outstanding with nearly 90% of all our A level students achieving a grade A*/B.

FACILITIES/RESOURCES

The MFL Department consists of six spacious classrooms, one of which is a dedicated Language Laboratory, two Language Assistant rooms and a department office. Each room is equipped with whiteboards and data projectors. ICT facilities are provided by 27 desktop computers in the specialist Language Laboratory.

WHAT WE DO

We aim to instil in our pupils an awareness of, and interest in, the culture of the country, appropriate to their age and capability, whether this be a discussion of dietary differences in Year 7 or a study of the historical, philosophical or social background to work of literature in Years 12 and 13. We continue to introduce our Sixth Formers to the study of European literature, not exclusively of the 20th century. Although the modern emphasis on communicative skills is reflected in our teaching, our pupils are well able to understand grammatical concepts. These are consequently never ignored and play an important part in our teaching of more able pupils and at a more advanced level. Where the complexity of the topic so dictates, explanations are given in English. We continue to foster contacts with countries where pupils may practise their languages, through lessons with assistants and through foreign visits and study weeks.

TRIPS

We run a number of school trips on a regular basis. In French, students in Year 8 have the opportunity of spending a week in a château in Normandy during the Easter holidays where they undertake a variety of outdoor and indoor activities, all conducted in French. In Year 10 students can participate in an activity/study week during August, again in the château in Normandy. In Years 12 and 13 students undertake an intensive study week in April in Northern France. In German students in Years 10 to 13 can attend a five day study trip to Cologne in December. It is hoped that in 2019 the Spanish department will be able to run a trip to Madrid.

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