Modern Languages
The Modern Languages department is continuing with its exciting programme of language teaching and learning. Four modern languages will be taught within the curriculum – Spanish, Mandarin, German and French. All languages are taught by subject specialists. There are five full-time and one part-time members of staff and three foreign language assistants, as well as a Mandarin teacher sponsored by Hanban, the Office of Chinese Language Council International in Beijing.
The aims of the department are:
- To develop the ability to use the target language effectively for the purposes of practical communication;
- To encourage positive attitudes to foreign language learning and to speakers of foreign languages;
- To foster a sympathetic understanding of the culture and civilisation of countries whose first language is the target language;
- To provide enjoyment and intellectual stimulation.
In year 7 all girls learn Spanish and Mandarin. In the following year girls will then continue with Spanish and may start French and continue with Mandarin. All three languages and German will be available at GCSE from 2010, subject to demand. It is possible for girls to do one, two or three languages at GCSE. Spanish, French and German are available to AS and A level.
Please contact the school for details of our current modern languages provision if you are considering admission for your daughter for years other than year 7 or 12.
The department is extremely proud of its success in external examinations. Our GCSE grades have been consistently excellent, with a number of girls scoring among the top five highest marks nationally in Spanish, French or German. 51% of girls gained an A* grade in 2009. At A2 level girls perform very well with 100% A and B grades in the last two years, with 88% A grade in 2009. Seven girls from last year will continue their study of languages at university, three of whom have gained a place at Oxford or Cambridge.
The language department is housed in well-equipped rooms and regular use is made of ICT facilities to enhance language learning. Pupils can access listening material, use dedicated software and record themselves speaking a foreign language. The department also has two interactive whiteboard sand three projectors, which are used to great effect in lessons and in the extra-curricular clubs.
A language study room available to sixth formers is equipped with a satellite link to terrestrial television channels in Europe. There is a DVD library of foreign language films, which may be borrowed by students of A and AS level at any time.
Girls regularly attend external revision conferences for GCSE, AS and A2 French, German and Spanish.
There are well-established links with schools in France and Spain. Exchange visits for students to a school in Avignon are organised annually. For students of Spanish, exchange visits go to Murcia in the South of Spain biannually and a trip to Barcelona takes place in the Spring or Summer term. Last year, our Year 8 girls visited Beijing and X’ian with the SSAT Autumn camp and we are looking forward to welcoming our Hanban teacher. We have organised our inaugural language and environmental link with our new partner school in Bamberg in Germany for 2009-10.
Year 8 pupils in Beijing
Our partner school in Bamberg
Enjoying churros in Murcia
Exchange pupils in Avignon
