Academic Departments Languages
Languages
Languages
The Department
In keeping with its international character, Millfield has a large and thriving Languages department. We aim to inspire, encourage and challenge our students, so that their experience of language learning is both beneficial and enjoyable. Class sizes are small. Our strong and dynamic team of 20 linguists is supported by five young language assistants. These young people see all pupils in Years 11, 12 and 13 every week in small groups – these are invaluable sessions which help to build vital confidence in speaking the foreign language.
Languages for all
Students, with very few exceptions, learn at least one language until the end of Year 11 and we strongly encourage our better linguists to study at least two. Depending on the ability band, pupils may choose from Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Classical Greek or Spanish. GCSE is taken by the vast majority of pupils but alternative courses are available. We pride ourselves in the support we give to pupils to maximize their learning potential in the classroom. Outside lessons, the most able linguists in Years 9 to 11 are invited to termly lunches to hear speakers and discuss issues of academic interest. There is a variety of weekly workshops available for pupils who need support with language learning and extra sessions are offered to all in the run-up to exams. Sixth Form languages provide an inspiring and natural progression from GCSE. A language is easily combined with any other subject, both at AS and A2, and is highly marketable in the global workplace as well as in applications for language courses at universities, which have seen numbers reduce thanks to the removal of compulsory languages in the state sector.
In the Sixth Form, students may choose from French, German, Spanish, Latin and Classical Greek at AS and A2. Italian is also available to AS/A2, either as a continuers’ course or for beginners, to GCSE in one year and AS/A2 in two years. Students study the language through topical themes and literature. A variety of teaching methods and resources is employed – including data projectors and a computerized language laboratory. There are weekly workshops offered for extra support in anything from grammar to pronunciation. For pupils who would like to pick up a new language in addition to their chosen AS/A2 subjects, Arabic, Japanese and Chinese are available as introductory certificate courses.
Beyond the classroom
Because we know that learning languages is all about experiencing the real thing, we encourage our students to take part in a rich programme of linguistic events. We run well-supported and successful annual exchanges and study visits for several year groups to Hamburg, Nice, Vannes, Venice and cities in Spain. In addition, there are Millfield Travel Bursaries available to Sixth Form linguists who take the initiative to organise work abroad or who need assistance with Millfield or other trips. In the Sixth Form, we organize trips to study days, exhibitions, cinemas and theatres. There is also the annual Linguists’ Dinner, alive with the babble of languages and fantastic acting and singing performances. Students have the opportunity to take part in languages productions, which gives their language a wonderful boost. The 2006 Spanish play was “La dama boba” by Lope de Vega. This academic year there will be a languages evening in the theatre, featuring scenes from the Moliere play “L’Avare” and performances in several other languages too.