Modern Languages

Department Staff

Mr David Brunskill (Head of Modern Languages)
Mrs Frederique Anand
Mrs Mary-Grace Browning
Miss Julia Challis (Head of Spanish)
Mr James Featherstone
Miss Sophia Huang
Miss Susan Lacey
Dr Rebecca Mitchell
Miss Anastasia Phemollant
Miss Louise Playfair
Mrs Jacqueline Pullen (Head of French)
Mrs Henar Tortajada-Powys
Mrs Sibylle Wilson
Mrs Nabilla Winter

The languages

We offer French, German, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Portuguese, Japanese and Mandarin Chinese.

Sets

Boulogne For most students French is compulsory to GCSE, however we also offer Spanish, and these are set from Year 7 according to ability. There are four sets in each year group. The top set takes the GCSE at the end of Year 10. In Year 11 students can continue their study of French or start a new language, Arabic. There are usually two French and two Spanish sets and one German set in the Lower Sixth with approximately 10 pupils per set. There are usually two sets for French and one each for Spanish and German in the Upper Sixth when students start to study literature in addition to language. In the Sixth Form students enjoy the benefits of having two French, Spanish or German teachers and a native speaker with whom they have an oral lesson once a week.

Options

In Year 9 students may choose to study a second language, either Spanish, Japanese or German. At the end of Year 9, they may decide to continue this language to GCSE. There are generally two Spanish sets and one German set in Years 9 to 11.

Skills

Alhambra At all stages of the language learning process the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing are developed. We recognise that all of the skills are vital to success and our teaching strategies reflect this important balance. We also believe that students should be able to manipulate the language themselves. Therefore, we place a strong emphasis on grammatical understanding, whilst always encouraging the development of practical comprehension and communication skills.

Examinations

The department sits Edexcel examinations at GCSE, but will move to the Cambridge IGCSE in French, Spanish and German from 2011. At AS and A2 we follow the AQA syllabus. Strong linguists are encouraged to apply to Oxbridge and are fully supported in the application and interview process.

Facilities

From September 2010 the department will be based in a brand new teaching block, with access to the latest technology.

Exchanges

The French department has introduced an exchange arrangement with St Croix de Neuilly, an independent school in Neuilly-sur-Seine, a western suburb of Paris. It is open to Year 9 and 10 students only; we hope eventually to be able to offer either a group exchange programme or a pen-friend arrangement to all our students, from Year 7 through to the Upper Sixth Forms. The students from Paris come to Cambridge in October and our students visit Paris during the February half-term holiday. The Sixth Form also have the opportunity to undertake a work experience placement in France during the Easter holidays or take part in a cultural trip to Paris. There is a German exchange with a school in Norderstedt (Hamburg) for Year 9 upwards. The students from Germany visit us in October and we visit Norderstedt in the following February/March. German work experience placements can also be arranged. Spanish students in the Lower Sixth have the opportunity to undertake a one week study course during the Easter holidays and it has been attended by some of our students for the last few years. A Spanish exchange has been established with a school in Tomares near Seville. There are various other trips which are undertaken by the department.

Arabic

Arabic is offered as a one year course in Year 11 to those who have already obtained a GCSE in French at the end of Year 10.

Hamburg

Global Studies

All Year 7 students undertake a language and cultural course in each of Potuguese, Arabic, Japanese and Russian.

Mandarin Chinese

A course in Mandarin Chinese is offered to Year 7 and 8 students as an after-school club.

Japanese

Japanese is offered through an after-school club and in exceptional circumstances students may take a GCSE or higher qualification in this subject.