Welcome to the Modern Languages Department!

At The English School, we believe that learning a modern foreign language is essential to a well-rounded education. Languages enrich cultural understanding, foster global citizenship, and provide lifelong skills valuable for education, employment, and leisure. Our department is committed to promoting language learning as central to the EU’s vision, where every citizen should be proficient in at least two foreign languages in addition to their mother tongue. From Year 1, students have the choice to study French, Spanish, or German, opening doors to a world of opportunity.

Departmental Vision

Language study is an integral part of our students’ education, reflecting the cultural richness of our society. Through language learning, students gain a sense of global citizenship and personal fulfillment, developing skills that support lifelong education, work, and leisure.

Departmental Aims and Ethos

Aims for Students

The Modern Languages Department is dedicated to:

• Preparing students for success in public examinations with a strong foundation in their chosen language.
• Enhancing communication skills in the target language, focusing on both speaking and writing.
• Creating a stimulating learning environment through effective use of AFL (Assessment for Learning) and PLTS (Personal, Learning and Thinking Skills).
• Fostering independent inquiry, encouraging students to analyze, evaluate, and consider diverse perspectives while supporting their conclusions with reasoned arguments and evidence.
• Cultivating creative thinking by guiding students to generate ideas, ask questions, and adapt to changing circumstances.
• Encouraging reflective learning, helping students assess their strengths and limitations, set realistic goals, monitor progress, seek feedback, and make improvements.
• Promoting teamwork by building students’ confidence in collaborative settings, adapting to various contexts, and taking responsibility for their roles.
• Developing cultural understanding, providing insights into the countries and communities where the target language is spoken.
• Inspiring an appreciation for different cultures and values while increasing awareness of current issues in the target language country.
• Establishing a strong foundation for further language study, encouraging a lifelong passion for language learning.

Aims for Staff

Our department is committed to supporting our staff by:

• Providing ample professional development opportunities within and outside the department.
• Fostering a culture of constructive debate and discussion as part of a collaborative decision-making process.
• Creating an intellectually stimulating environment that encourages teachers to refine their classroom skills.
• Promoting resource-sharing, teamwork, and cooperation, maximizing the potential of both teachers and students.