Modern Languages

The Department has four spacious classrooms dedicated to each of the four main languages offered (French, German, Mandarin and Spanish), as well as two smaller classrooms used for Russian and VI Form teaching and for speaking practice. 

J4 and J5: an introduction to languages, based on activities and games, ranges across a variety of languages - Japanese, Italian, Russian and Spanish, for example.

I & II Form: Pupils take a foundation course in Spanish

III Form: Pupils do a block in each of four languages: Spanish, French, Mandarin and German.

IV Form: Pupils choose two languages. For 2019-20, these are chosen from French, Mandarin and Spanish.

Shell and V Form: Pupils continue with one or two languages from IV Form.

LVI and UVI: In the Sixth Form, French, German, Mandarin, Russian and Spanish are offered at A-Level, as well as Higher and Advanced Higher, depending on circumstances, language and year group.

In any year group, and particularly in upper Forms, additional languages may be available by arrangement. Pupils should approach the Head of Department with any such requests.

As well as trips toSpain, France, Germany and China, there is a variety of cultural, social, and learning events, including, for example:

• Film trips; tapas evenings; competitions
• Chinese New Year Dinner with our partner school, St George’s
• Speakers, e.g. Language Ambassadors
• Six-school days for VI Form in French, German and Spanish (with Fettes, Glenalmond, Loretto, Stewart’s Melville and Strathallan)
• French LVI Workshop with Stewart’s Melville