PALMERS GREEN High School

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Modern Languages

“A different language is a different vision of life” Federico Fellini

The language department’s philosophy at Palmers Green High School is to encourage a love of foreign languages and civilisations. Languages play an important role in the school’s curriculum and pupils study French, German and Russian in Years 7, 8 and 9 with Spanish being introduced in Years 8 and 9. In Years 10 & 11 French is compulsory at GCSE with pupils also having the option to study Spanish at GCSE.

The language department has access to a wide range of resources and pupils are taught through various activities including class oral work, pair work, group work, acting, vocabulary learning, oral and written skills. Pupils also learn through video and audio media such as listening and watching recorded material, songs, playing language games, dictation, using interactive computer resources, memorising talks and writing compositions.

The Modern Foreign Language Department aims to:

  • develop the skills of listening, reading, speaking and writing a foreign language through a wide range of activities and resources.
  • equip students with the language skills they need for both practical purposes and to enhance their experience of travelling abroad through residential trips.
  • teach pupils orally, supported by careful study and practice of grammar and vocabulary to ensure they leave PGHS with excellent linguistic skills.
  • encourage pupils to pursue their learning of languages to a greater level and enjoy the benefits of such an asset in their everyday lives.

Curriculum

All pupils in Year 7 will study French to Year 11. Spanish is introduced in Years 8 and 9 and pupils have the option to study this language at GCSE as well. Recently, numerous candidates have chosen to study two languages successfully at this level. The department is introducing the IGCSE (Edexcel) from September 2009 in both languages as it is felt that it is the most appropriate examination for pupils, preparing them greatly for further studies. As this is an internationally recognised qualification, this will provide a firm foundation on which to develop their studies of languages as well as broaden their horizons further.

Extra Curricular Activities

There are numerous extra curricular activities that pupils can become involved in both within and outside of school ranging from:

Chateau Beaumont 2009

  • Day trips to Boulogne
  • Annual residential trips to France and Spain
  • Theatre visits (Onatti and the European theatre)
  • After school language clubs: Italian, Japanese, French etc…
  • GCSE conferences
  • Food tasting
  • National poetry competition
  • Reading competitions
  • Making of videos and puppets
  • Creating and recording songs and drama
  • French café at the school's open morning
  • Celebrations of European day for languages

Exam Results

The Modern Foreign Language Department achieves excellent results with 94.5% of IGCSEs in Spanish and French achieving A*- C grades (with 85.7% graded A*/A). In 2008, some students even made it to the top ten students nationally at GCSE. Many students go onto study French and Spanish at A level.