Modern Languages Curriculum

J4

Cocktail of languages: Dutch, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish

Each language is taught one lesson a week, for 5 or 6 weeks.

The aim is to open the boys’ mind to foreign languages, to different sounds, different ways of life, customs, foods, as well as the general geography of the various countries. Some basic conversation will be introduced, alongside some numbers and the letters of the alphabet. Games and songs will be used to keep things lively.

J5

Cocktail of languages: Dutch, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish

Each language is taught again one lesson a week, for 5 or 6 weeks.

Boys revise the ground covered the previous year, then expand somewhat: basic conversation becomes simple role plays, some animals, colours and clothes are introduced. There will be some cooking and/or food tasting for each of the countries. Again games and songs will be very part of the teaching and learning experience.

FIRST FORM

Introduction of French and Mandarin

This is very much an introductory year for those two languages, and it will consist of oral work (basic conversation extended into simple role plays), projects (a city, a monument, a great figure of the past, a region, a celebrity/sportsman, a fictitious character, food, celebrations), games and songs.

SECOND FORM

French, Mandarin and Latin (/ESOL)

The Second Form is when formal teaching of French, Mandarin and Latin start. The boys learn vocabulary, deal with easy sentence structures and basic grammar, do simple translation exercises, etc.

THIRD FORM

French, Mandarin and Latin (/Spanish, ESOL)

The boys will continue with their formal study of the three languages. New boys joining in the Third Form will start Spanish, in place of Latin, and there will be a beginners’ Mandarin set. The boys who want to continue with Latin but are also interested in Spanish will get a chance to start Spanish in the Fourth Form.

FOURTH FORM

French, Latin option, choice of one language out of German, Mandarin or Spanish (ESOL)

The Fourth Form is when choices have to be made. The boys have to continue studying French, and decide to continue or drop Latin. They then have to choose which language out of German, Mandarin or Spanish they want to take on. The choice here is crucial as coming to the Shell, boys will have to continue with French if they choose Mandarin, school policy being that pupils have to study at least one European language.

SHELL AND FIFTH FORM

GCSE course in French, German, Greek, Latin, Mandarin and Spanish (ESOL)

The Modern Languages Department encourages the study of two languages, especially for the students who have a genuine linguistic interest and ability, and who would possibly consider following a university course which combines a subject with a modern language or two. Those with less of an inclination towards languages will be encouraged to concentrate on one language only. Students will be able to develop their skills to a high level so that they can choose to pursue the study of the language at AS or A2 levels.

Additional languages

Tutoring in Arabic, Dutch, Italian and Russian can be provided as an extra.

SIXTH FORM

AS and A2 course in French, German, Latin, Mandarin and Spanish (ESOL)

The study of foreign languages gives the students the amazing opportunity to find out about other countries, how other people live, think and behave, what kind of films they watch, what music they like, what university life is like for them, what kind of jobs they aspire to, and so on and so forth. Studying foreign languages also provides a range of skills, both practical and academic. For some students, the mastery of a language will be an end in itself whereas for many others it will provide a valuable extra tool for a later career.

Additional languages

Arabic, Dutch, Italian and Russian are also available for those with a good grounding in these languages.