Modern Languages

As well as being a useful and enjoyable skill, one which can transform foreign travel, competence in a modern language is highly regarded by potential employers, and can prove decisive when job-seeking. It can even lead to careers abroad. At St. Edmund's, therefore, we expect most of our children to study at least one foreign language to GCSE level, usually French. In addition, we also teach Spanish from Lower Fifth Form level as an optional subject.

Our principal aim is to develop the following skills in our pupils, whichever language they choose: an understanding of the spoken and written forms of the language; the ability to communicate effectively in the language, both in writing and in speech; a knowledge of the grammatical rules of the language; awareness of the countries and communities in which the language is spoken; and a sound foundation of the practical use of the language being studied.

In the Sixth Form, at AS and A2 Level, we move on to developing language skills in areas such as day-to-day conversation, society, and the working world. In the initial stages of AS level, we consolidate and extend the grammatical knowledge gained at GCSE; after that, we focus more on the social and cultural aspects of the language being studied, and on the development of the pupil's prepared oral topic. At A2 Level, pupils cover topics such as Environment and Citizenship, and the International Context; they progress from a more descriptive and narrative use of the language, to a more critical, evaluative and creative level. In conjunction with this, pupils will study two literature texts or topics related to the language they are studying or its country.

A major emphasis is placed on oral use of the language, and 30% of the final marks in the A Level are awarded for competence in this area. Teaching throughout emphasises this skill, complemented through use of the language laboratory, by watching television programmes in the language studied, reading Internet sites in the language, and travelling to the country in question. To this end we have links with schools abroad and encourage exchanges, in both directions.