MODERN LANGUAGES
Pupils of all ages learn a modern foreign language and lunch-time and after-school language clubs are offered in the Pre-Prep. Prep and Senior Schools. French is a core curriculum subject for all pupils until the age of 16 and senior pupils can also choose to study Spanish and Italian. A number of staff and pupils are multilingual and an atmosphere of easy familiarity with all languages is encouraged.
Our overall objective when teaching a Modern Foreign Language at The Harrodian is to help students develop an awareness of the different cultures as well as providing them with the tools to communicate effectively in the languages taught. Depending on the age group concerned as well as the level of the pupils, our aims may vary. We always involve young learners in fun activities to develop a liking of the subject as well as working on their punctuation from an early age, thanks to a lot of oral work. Our junior students are learning a modern foreign language as a core and academic subject, preparing for examinations such as Common Entrance, although we still recognise the need for a fun element! From the age of 11, our pupils may learn one or two modern languages and prepare for GCSE examinations in those subjects. Older pupils can study AS and A2 courses in French, Spanish and/or Italian.
At all stages of the learning process, we try to engage students with the languages taught by providing them with teachers who are native speakers, and offering them opportunities to hear the language in context. Our language assistants spend a lot of time talking and working with our pupils in the target language. We must also recognise that many of our own students and teachers are also multilingual and are thus adding a very international feel to the school.
Each academic year, we try to provide several opportunities for our students to hear and speak the languages taught outside the classroom. Every year, we invite the European Theatre Company to present two French plays in the school theatre hall for our junior and senior school. We have also received French pupils from the neighbouring French lycee. In June, some of our year 11s will spend four days in France on a cultural-linguistic-sporty visit to Le Chateau Du Broutel in Rue whilst our Spanish students will embark on a Spanish trip during the Easter holidays. Language assemblies, where pupils perform short plays or songs, are organised.
Teachers provide after-school clubs relating to the languages taught, such as cinema clubs or game clubs in the target languages. Outings to the theatre, cinema or concert hall are regularly organised. For example, French pupils had the opportunity recently to see the French play Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme, which the school will produce in the summer term. Spanish learners have been invited to an evening of Salsa in the spring term, also.
Head of Department: Mlle Sandrine Montet
