Modern Foreign Languages

AIMS

The Modern Languages Department, within the Languages Faculty, aims to enable pupils across all age and ability ranges to study foreign languages with success and pleasure.

Pupils will be encouraged to:

  • develop the ability to understand foreign languages effectively for the purposes of practical communication.
  • develop the ability to use foreign languages imaginatively and creatively.
  • develop an understanding of the structures, grammar and nature of foreign languages.
  • enhance study skills, in particular language learning skills.
  • appreciate the culture, religion and civilisation of foreign countries, sometimes through visits abroad.
  • adopt positive attitudes to foreign language learning and to native speakers of the language.
  • use skills which have wider application, such as information technology.
  • consider pursuing the study of languages to a higher level where appropriate and desirable.

FACILITIES AND RESOURCES

The Department has four dedicated classrooms, including a 28 station digitised audio language laboratory. There is also a room for focussed speaking sessions and Sixth Form study with widescreen TV, TV DVD monitor and two computers. All rooms have a computer and amplifier through which to play sound recordings and a data projector. Two further ICT rooms are easily accessible.

Each language in each year is supported by a specialist course.  KS5 follow the AQA OUP course, supplemented with an array of authentic materials, which also benefits from the Kerboodle platform and can be accessed from home.

The Department uses many digital resources, and we make full use of Google Classroom so that pupils can easily access materials and communicate with their class teacher. Some of our favourite digital tools include Quizlet, Blooket, EdPuzzle, Flippity and Language Gym.

TRIPS AND VISITS

To enhance the pupils’ feel and understanding for their language learning and to give them first-hand insight into the socio-cultural backgrounds of the languages which they are learning, pupils are strongly encouraged to participate in the visits abroad and other cultural activities laid on by the Department.

Every year we aim to offer a short stay trip to France, Germany or Spain during which they will undertake mini language projects, for example the 2022 trip to Barcelona.

Students, especially older ones, are encouraged to make trips abroad on their own initiative. Information about gap years and work experience abroad is posted from time to time on Faculty notice boards.

The Faculty also arranges several trips to support pupils’ learning and promote interest in the learning of languages and encourage curiosity about the cultures of their chosen language. In recent years there have been several visits including a Year 10 German trip to HOME cinema in Manchester, and a study day for A Level Spanish at Manchester University.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR

The Department is dedicated to providing a wide variety of learning opportunities.  We currently offer a World Film Club, a DuoLingo Club and a Board Games Club as well as revision sessions.

We also encourage participation in several regional, nationwide, and indeed international competitions including the Young Translator’s competition for Sixth Form in November and the Northern Schools MFL Debating Competition. In February, we run the Linguistics Olympiad Competition for Year 9 and above.  Students have also had the chance to take part in an essay writing competition organised by Lancaster University.

For more information please contact:

Mrs. S Broom

Head of Languages Faculty