Head of Faculty - Mrs T Green

Subject Leader (French) - Ms M Renaud

Subject Leader (Spanish) - Ms F Young

Languages are part of the cultural richness of our society and the world in which we live and work. Learning languages contributes to mutual understanding, a sense of global citizenship and personal fulfilment. Students learn to appreciate different countries, cultures, communities and people. By making comparisons, they gain insight into their own culture and society. The ability to understand and communicate in another language is a lifelong skill for education, employment and leisure in this country and throughout the world.

Learning languages gives students opportunities to develop their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills and to express themselves with increasing confidence, independence and creativity. They explore the similarities and differences between other languages and English and learn how language can be manipulated and applied in different ways. The development of communication skills, together with the understanding of the structure of language, lays the foundations for future study of other languages and supports the development of literacy skills in a student’s own language.

Our Aspirations

1. For all pupils to be able to understand and in turn give information on topics which are relevant to their everyday lives, to learn more about the culture and customs of the countries in which the languages we teach are spoken, to develop a sense of their role in an ever wider international community and increasingly global world and, most importantly, to have fun all the while.
2. For more advanced students to thoroughly enjoy language learning, to understand the finer nuances of syntax, to dapple in the manipulation of more complex grammatical constructions, to be able to communicate confidently, cogently and capably.
3. For staff to be able to pass on both their passion for and expertise in listening, reading, writing and babbling in foreign tongues.

English is Not Enough

• 94% of the world do not speak English as their first language
• 75% of the world do not speak English at all

Enrichment

• Email links with French, German, and Spanish schools exist for all pupils, should they be keen to foster them.
• A number of our linguists help with younger classes during enrichment sessions. In this capacity they support less able pupils by hearing them read, helping them write, and offering ideas when trying to speak in the target language.