The Modern Languages Department

Grove School gained specialist Language college status in 2002 and now has the benefit of a large purpose-built suite of rooms which are the base for The Language College.  Most of these are equipped with interactive whiteboards and there is a dedicated ICT suite.  This has full access to the school network and the wide range of programs available generally, but also has specific software to enhance, enrich and support languages teaching. A dedicated small classroom for Sixth Form teaching has a small suite of computers and satellite television.

The large department is led by Miss E. Morel.  Other full-time teachers are Mrs Bedford (Language College Director), Miss K Martin (responsibility for German), Mr C Pollard (responsibility for Spanish), Miss D Rafferty, Mr S Harrison, and Miss C Hendley. The teaching staff is completed by Mrs S Belfield who works part-time.

 

The principal languages taught are French, Spanish and German.  Students start their lessons in one of these at primary school, where Grove School staff visit once a week for lessons.  They continue with one language in Year 7 then add a second foreign language during Years 8 and 9.  The first language for students starting in 2009 was German and in 2010 it is planned to be French

All students will continue with at least one language in KS4, with most taking a GCSE exam.  A second or even third language is an option in Key stage 4 for all students.  The department offers students opportunities to sit exams in other languages and in the past qualifications have been gained in Urdu, Turkish, Italian, Russian, Dutch and Polish.

 

In Grove College Spanish, French and German are available at Advanced level and there is also the opportunity to learn Italian in the Third Session.

The Language College has its own site with details of courses, visits, exchanges and all the international activities that take place on a regular basis.  To see more, please follow the link. www.elsie-grove.org.uk