Modern Foreign Languages
Head of Department: Miss S Lunn
The ability to speak a foreign language is an increasingly rare and desirable skill. Here at Arnold we aim to ensure that pupils not only have the linguistic knowledge to meet the demands of our future society, but also that they enjoy their learning and find personal reward in rising to the fulfilling challenge that communicating fluently in another language presents.
Our department offers French to all pupils in the Senior School, supplemented by either German or Spanish in Year 8 which leads to the study of at least one language at GCSE level for all pupils. Our teaching combines the best of modern methodology, which has a communicative and practical focus evidenced by teacher and pupil use of the target language, with the rigour of tradition, which ensures that pupils understand the grammar of the language they are learning. All members of the department are highly qualified specialists and the department enjoys an excellent reputation as a regional training institution.
The languages department is located over two floors where we have a dedicated suite of classrooms, all fully equipped with Promethean interactive whiteboards, speakers and DVD players. A Languages Laboratory further enhances our facilities and pupils throughout the school benefit from the valuable chance to improve their spoken language with foreign language assistants. In addition, pupils can supplement their linguistic and cultural knowledge by keeping abreast of current affairs in our independent study area which offers not only satellite television and networked computers, but also a variety of films, newspapers, magazines and audio material.
Clubs & Extra-Curricular Opportunities:
Over the last few years the department has run successful trips to Germany, France and Spain; the most recent visit being to Cologne in December 2009. Plans are in place for a trip to Barcelona in October 2010. In addition, sixth form pupils regularly choose to enhance their skills through a work experience placement abroad or through attending a summer language course. If you are interested in work experience please contact Mrs Burnett or Miss Lunn for more details.
If pupils wish to enhance their reading skills independently they may enjoy the advantages of a subscription to foreign language magazines or they can find a wealth of materials in the School Library which offers a good choice of reading material, from nursery rhymes to Harry Potter. Many clubs and activities are supported by the department's language assistants, and begin in October. These include Conversation Club and Satellite Club and the time and place of each activity are on display on the MFL notice board and on the School plasma screens. As public examinations approach, many students take advantage of further help at the Languages Clinic - details of which are offered later in the year.
European Film Club and European Literature Society are held after school for sixth form pupils, who can also enhance their leadership and communication skills by volunteering as a 'languages ambassador' in the Junior School, working alongside Senior School staff. The department has also offered a qualification in Teaching English as a Foreign Language.
Year 8 and 9 Spanish Curriculum Overview
Year 10 and 11 Spanish Curriculum Overview
Staff
Miss Samantha Lunn Head of MFL
Mrs Fiona Burnett Deputy Head of MFL
