In Form III (Year 7) all students study French. For some, this is a chance to consolidate what they have already learned in junior school. For others it may be the first time they have studied the language. We follow the National Curriculum and teach, wherever possible, in the target language. Our students develop a pleasing accent and are able to converse with ease and confidence.
In LIV (Year 8) students continue with French and add German to their language studies. Already confident with one European language, most are able to appreciate the challenge faced with the study of a second language.
In UIV (Year 9) students commence Spanish which is generally found to be not too demanding, given that its vocabulary and grammar is similar to French. Also, by this time, students are conversant with verbs, nouns, etc and new rules are easily understood!
At the end of UIV (Year 9) students decide which language(s) they are going to study for their two-year GCSE course. It is compulsory to study one, but possible to choose two or even three.
Whatever the year a student is in, each language is taught in a communicative way, with the aim being to instil confidence and a healthy understanding of the language, its culture and people. Oral work is coupled with the study of grammar in order to teach students to be able to construct sentences of their choice, rather than simply being able to recite phrases 'parrot-fashion'. A variety of teaching methods are employed, with use being made of satellite TV, the language laboratory, our book and foreign video library and of course our French, German and Spanish language Assistants.