You are here: Departmental Information / Modern Languages

Modern Languages

We are fortunate in having a well-qualified and energetic staff who are firmly committed to mixed ability teaching and to offering opportunities to all. We are very proud of our achievements both in making languages a popular choice of study for all ages and abilities and also for our examination results which regularly exceed results nationally.

Curriculum Provision

We are proud to offer specialist teaching in FIVE languages: French, Spanish, German, Italian and Russian. we have followed a policy of diversification for many years as this gives greater flexibility and offers students choice.

Our aim is to give students a positive and enjoyable experience of language learning. This is achieved by adopting techniques which encourage real activity and involvement in the classroom. During the earlier years (7,8 and 9) the emphasis is placed on building confidence and developing the ability to work cooperatively and to enjoy using the foreign language.

We foster good listening skills and authentic accents. we are committed to ways of teaching which will enable students to cope with real-life situations. As students progress through the school, these continue and there is also a gradual development of reading and writing skills which broadens their experience of language and equips them for public examinations. We are also keen to encourage creative and imaginative work and use of ICT.

Finally, we organise visits abroad as we feel that they are an integral part of language learning.