Learning a language involves not only linguistic competence but an understanding of a different culture. The MFL Department at KGS aims to deliver a broad curriculum not just by offering a wide variety of languages to study from the First Year but also by organising trips, plays, visits to partner schools abroad and at home, and a range of cultural activities.
Our strong academic tradition with excellent examination results is at the core of our teaching. Being an independent learner is at the heart of language study, developing an appreciation and curiosity for foreign cultures, literature, media and film, having an interest in current affairs and news, and being motivated to communicate with others – all of which are key assets in any walk of life.
A different language is a different vision of life.
Federico Fellini
In the First and Second Year all students learn two languages, choosing their first from French, German, Italian and Spanish and we allocate the second. From the Third Year, ab initio Spanish provides the opportunity to study a third language. We follow the IGCSE course for French, German and Spanish, and the GCSE course for Italian, and encourage our students to study two languages at this stage, with many of them taking a language or two at A Level. Our students benefit from extension classes throughout their Sixth Form life which encourage new interests in the countries where their chosen languages are spoken, and deepen their cultural, linguistic and literary understanding; such extension classes are an excellent preparation for the rigour of top academic universities.
The vibrant department of 10 teachers and 3 native-speaker assistants teaches in dedicated classrooms with access to a mobile IT suite and a range of resources to ensure an innovative and creative learning environment through dynamic and engaging teaching. An emphasis on the use of target language in the classroom might seem daunting at first but is just one of the ways in which we foster a sense of determination, risk-taking and self-confidence, raising aspirations and nurturing ambition in each student.
Study visits are offered for each language at various stages during their school career and students embrace the enrichment that these experiences bring. Fifth Year and Sixth Form students take part in debating competitions, and the successful Language Leader Award for Third and Fourth Year students stands out as a real motivator to engage students’ interest in their language whilst learning vital leadership and teaching skills. MFL events provide an opportunity for creativity, engagement and fun – creative writing week, Language Leaders teaching parents, staff and primary school children and MFL drama evenings all contribute to a sense of shared purpose and ambition.
Modern Foreign Languages A Level course guide
Modern Foreign Languages information booklet
Staff
- Head of Modern Foreign Languages, Mrs T Russell
- Teacher of Spanish and Italian, Miss A Arcos Villanueva
- Teacher of German and French, Mrs A Evans
- Head of Fifth Year; Teacher of French and Italian, Mr O Garner
- Teacher of Spanish, French and German, Ms A Jimenez
- Teacher of Spanish and French, Mrs O Maclay
- Teacher of French and German, Miss A Maclean
- Teacher of French and Italian, Mrs K Pinnock
- Second in Modern Languages, Miss R Sharp
Language Assistants:
- French Assistant; Ms S Faber
- German Assistant; Ms P Maass
- Spanish Assistant; Ms P Hermosa
- Italian Assistant; Dr G Pepe
