Princess Helena College - Modern Foreign Languages

Modern Foreign Languages

Modern Languages are central to the Princess Helena College curriculum and pupils currently have the opportunity to choose from three European languages as well as Latin.

Italian, Greek, Japanese and Mandarin can be accommodated too, if requested.

At Princess Helena College we endeavour to promote a love of languages by adopting a holistic approach in our teaching. The department boasts a wide range of internet resources, including interactive whiteboards in each language classroom as well as access to relevant software and satellite television. Such aids allow pupils of all ages to be exposed to the culture of the particular country. Moreover, we offer an unparalleled programme of trips to France, Germany, Spain and Italy. Language events, such as European theatre in Spanish, French and German and a sixth form inter-schools Balloon debate also aim to inspire our students to use languages outside the confines of the classroom. We celebrate the World Day of Languages every two years by encouraging cross-curricular activities to mark this important occasion. Over half of the staff in the department are native speakers, with the addition of a language assistant from either Germany, Spain or France on an annual, rotational basis.

KS3 Years 7-9

In Year 7, French is taught as the core language, with the introduction of Spanish and German. At the end of the Autumn term, girls may opt for either Spanish or German with French, to be continued until the end of Year 9. It is at this stage that we aim to evoke a love of languages by complementing the linguistic aspects with cultural activities such as German Easter egg painting, French cookery and Spanish dance and music. We feel that languages are relevant across the curriculum and work with other subject teachers to promote this.

KS4 Years 10-11

At this stage, girls can choose one or two languages at GCSE level with the addition of Latin if desired. We work on a two week timetable with four sixty-five minute lessons. Recently, we have changed from the OCR examination board to AQA with the advent of the new specification, judging the final examination to be more challenging. In the new specification, listening and reading comprise 20% respectively of the final marks and Speaking and Writing 30% each. Our results to date have been excellent, with a 98% pass rate at A-C grades in all three languages.

KS5 Years 12-13

We believe that choosing a language for sixth form study is beneficial to any future career and can only enhance all other options. In today's world of globalization, a candidate with language skills is highly valued in the work place and has a distinct advantage when applying for jobs. The A level course is intended to familiarize students with the language, contemporary culture, current affairs and local issues of the country in question as well as offering a wide range of opportunities abroad. Work experience is always a possibility for sixth form candidates and it is expected that linguists at this level will spend a few weeks in the target language country over the 2 years in whatever capacity they feel relevant. In the past, sixth form trips to Strasbourg as well as Paris have been open to all senior girls as we feel such a trip to be of benefit to those studying a wide range of subjects including History, Business Studies and Art.

Recent trips and activities

Over the past few years, a successful German exchange has been ongoing with a girls' school in Bingen-am-Rhein in which Year 8 through to sixth form have been involved. A French home-stay in the Loire valley proved very popular, with 38 girls from Years 8-11 staying in host families for a week. Such a venture is currently being investigated for Spanish too. As previously mentioned, a sixth form trip to France is organized annually. At the end of Year 7, the girls have fun in France for 4 days helping to bond their friendships in preparation for year 8 as well as giving them an opportunity to practise their French.

At the end of the school day, the MFL department runs a European Ciné club on a regular basis which is open to all girls. In the Spring term, a language club is run by our resident assistant and always proves very popular with the junior girls.

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