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Modern Foreign Languages

Languages are a core subject at Radnor House Sevenoaks Senior School so every pupil is expected to take at least one language up to GCSE level. Lessons are fun and engaging yet every pupil receives a thorough grounding in the grammar of the language studied.

What makes our MFL department different?

  • Highly motivated and dedicated teachers with extensive teaching experience
  • Small classes allowing our pupils to benefit from individual attention
  • Interactive whiteboards in every teaching room
  • Supportive teaching environment which focuses on the use of language to communicate
  • Successful, established trips abroad, supported by a thorough programme of preparation
  • Co-curricular opportunities for learners to use the language outside the classroom
  • Consistently high exam results

All the teachers in the languages department at Radnor House Sevenoaks are committed to making modern foreign languages accessible, practical and fun! We firmly believe that, during their time with us, all pupils should have the opportunity to learn about and enjoy the culture of the countries where French and Spanish are spoken and that, to compete successfully in the jobs market, our young people need to be equipped with a second language.  All our pupils study both Spanish and French in years 7-9, and choose to take either one or both languages to GCSE level.

In addition, there are Spanish and French lunchtime clubs for young learners and after school. These clubs provide the opportunity to integrate what they learn in the classroom with other subjects, for example Art in Spain and France, and food, music, dance and sports in both.

There are lots of opportunities for students to practise their language skills. We run film nights for French and Spanish learners in the Lower and Middle School. Sixth Form pupils can also attend different cultural activities in London such as Film Festivals organised by the Institute Francais or Instituto Cervantes. The Faculty also runs language competitions throughout the year (translation poetry for Year 11 and 12s, Duolingo championships for Year 8s, photo catch up phrase for Year 9s, and Spelling Bee competition for Year 7s.

The faculty organises language residential visits abroad to encourage our pupils to put their language skills into practice. Year 8s and 9s usually spend a week in Spain or France over the summer.  In the past we have taken Year 11 students to El Puerto de Santa Maria in Cadiz and El Rincon de la Victoria in Malaga. Students usually attend a language school and enjoy a wide range of cultural activities such as a visit to Seville, Malaga, tours around Seville and Malaga’s markets and tapas bars, flamenco shows and tasting of paella and chocolate con churros.  

The Faculty also has an established working partnership with schools in Spain and France. Co-curricular projects have links to schools and different projects take place throughout the year.

All GCSE students take part in a language educational trip during their studies. These residential trips include cultural visits and plenty of opportunities to practise speaking with local people. Past trips have included a French exchange with a school in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Paris, and a five-day trip to the city. A Level student also take part in residential visits in Spain and France during their studies.

In the past, Year 7 French pupils have visited Paris as part of an educational visit with the Music department.  Other past visits have included a French trip to the Opal Coast in the North of France, which included a visit of Le Touquet, a dinner in a restaurant, a visit by train of "La baie de Somme" and a visit of a chocolate and biscuit factory. Year 8 have also taken part in a residential trip to Normandy to learn about World War II and practise their French language skills.

Pupils follow the AQA specification for both GCSE and A level.

Please see the curriculum overviews below if you would like further details of what pupils’ study in each year.

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