students eating snacks

Modern Foreign Languages

At Palmers Green High School, our Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) Department is passionate about inspiring a love for languages and global cultures. We believe that learning a foreign language enhances memory, improves cognitive skills, and deepens understanding of one’s own language. 

 Our Approach to Teaching 

We offer a dynamic and interactive approach to language learning, using a wide variety of engaging methods and resources to make lessons enjoyable and effective. These include: 

  • Group, pair and class-based oral work 
  • Drama and role play 
  • Vocabulary-building exercises 
  • Interactive games and computer-based activities 
  • Video and audio learning 
  • Singing, dictation, and memorised presentations 
  • Creative and structured writing tasks 

This approach helps pupils develop strong skills across all four key areas: listening, speaking, reading and writing. 

“To learn a language is to have one more window from which to look at the world”

Chinese Proverb

Curriculum Overview 

Languages are a key part of the PGHS curriculum: 

  • Years 7–9: Pupils study both French and Spanish, developing a strong foundation in each language through a variety of engaging methods. 
  • Years 10–11: At least one modern foreign language is compulsory at IGCSE level. Many pupils choose to continue studying both French and Spanish. 

[Click here to view our IGCSE MFL curriculum in the Options Booklet.] 

 Trips & Enrichment Opportunities 

We offer a wide range of cultural activities and trips to bring language learning to life, including: 

  • Residential trips to France and Spain (Years 10–11) 
  • Day trips to Boulogne (Year 7) 
  • Weekend visits to Paris (Years 9–10) 
  • Visits to the French Institute and Instituto Cervantes for immersive, real-world language experiences 
  • Dining experiences at French and Spanish restaurants (Year 11) 
  • Interactive theatre visits (French and Spanish plays by Onatti Theatre Company, Years 4–11) 
  • Drama workshops in Spanish 
  • Hispanic Day and French Day celebrations 
  • Cultural food tasting events 
  • European Day of Languages celebrations
  • Participation in the international Stephen Spender Prize for poetry translation 
  • Engagement with the LanguageNut online platform to build vocabulary and reinforce learning through fun, competitive activities 
  • Internal Spelling Competition 

 Extra-Curricular Support 

To complement classroom learning, we offer a range of extra-curricular opportunities that help pupils build confidence and deepen their cultural understanding: 

  • Weekly drop-in sessions in both French and Spanish to reinforce key skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing 
  • French and Spanish Cine Clubs, held weekly, where pupils watch films in the target language to explore cultural themes, develop listening skills, and expand vocabulary in an engaging, authentic context 
  • A French and Spanish language assistant is available each year to support Year 10 and Year 11 pupils. They provide targeted help in small groups and one-to-one sessions to prepare for the IGCSE speaking exam, enhancing fluency and confidence.