Welcome

The ability to understand and speak a foreign language is now widely recognised as an important asset. All students will study a language throughout KS3. In KS4 students can choose to study French. Some students may have the opportunity to study German as a 2 nd language.

Which Language?

French has always been the language traditionally taught in most British schools. It is an important and useful language and this country needs people with expertise in other languages. At The Lord Silkin School most Year 7 groups study French.

It must be stressed that many of the skills students acquire during their course of study are related not only to the actual language but to the process of learning a foreign language. These skills will enable them, if they should wish or need to do so, to learn another language with ease.

Students who show aptitude or enthusiasm for languages may be given an opportunity to study a language as an option in year 10.

What are our aims?

To ensure that every student experiences enjoyment and success in this area

of their school life. We include GCSE examination success here.

To prepare children for life in an international community.

To encourage students to use a foreign language as actively and frequently as possible from the beginning of Year Seven.

To generate enthusiasm and higher expectations which will lead to high standards of achievement.

How will we do this?

Our courses arelively and modern and are designed, within the framework of the National Curriculum, to respond to the needs of individual students.

Our staff are all experienced linguists in regular contact with French and German speaking countries.

Our classrooms are well-furnished and equipped for language learning. The country is brought into the classroom through displays of posters, magazines and realia from France, Germany and Austria. We have a Smart Board for Interactive Learning.

I.T. is an increasingly important part of our work; we make regular use of the computer suite.

Students are encouraged to monitor and evaluate their own effort and progress. Our assessment scheme focuses on each of the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. In addition to a wide range of published textbooks, tapes and reading materials, we have a large store of leaflets, brochures, letters and other authentic materials. This is continually added to as we believe that students benefit from contact with the 'genuine article'.