Modern Foreign Languages is a highly valued and popular part of the curriculum at The Elmgreen School. At Key Stage Three, students undertake an in depth study of French. Besides exploring the many French-speaking cultures around the world, students tackle detailed grammar issues and rapidly acquire a wide range of vocabulary. The programme of study for French equips students with key language learning skills, enabling them to learn new languages at Key Stage Four and beyond with confidence and ease.
There are numerous opportunities for wider language learning during Key Stage Three:
- Languages taster weeks where students sample Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese and Mandarin through a short series of lessons.
- After school lessons and clubs in Spanish and Mandarin Chinese (free of cost for all ages).
- Twelve week introductory courses in Spanish and Mandarin Chinese delivered through the Wednesday afternoon Choice programme for Year 8 students.
We are currently developing an exciting 14 – 19 curriculum where students will be able to study a number of languages at their own pace, gaining formal qualifications along the way.
The languages department also offers careful provision to students with English as an Additional Language. This includes an induction course for new arrivals, ongoing support with literacy development across the curriculum, and early entry GCSEs for bilingual students. We are delighted that three bilingual Year 8 students entered for GCSEs in Italian and Spanish in 2009 all gained A*. The linguistic diversity of our students and staff is one of the celebrated and treasured features of The Elmgreen School.