Studying a foreign language acts as a gateway to the global community.
At St Ignatius our aim is for every member of our community to love languages. Language learning is a transferable skill that permeates all disciplines and new endeavours. If you begin a new job or hobby, or whenever you need to learn something new, you are faced with a wide range of new vocabulary to grapple with. The skills of language learning help us to pick up new skills more quickly and to articulate our ideas more eloquently throughout our lives. Modern Languages also provide a window to the world, as we seek to understand people that seem culturally different from ourselves and learn to step towards them rather than shrinking away. Languages give you the world to explore, whether for work or study, travel or vacation.
At St Ignatius, our languages curriculum aims to teach languages through the over-teaching of sentence frames, leading to confidence and mastery of conversation topics. We then use creative and complex language to break beyond these structures, allowing pupils to demonstrate a deeper manipulation of language. In Key Stage 3 we run a range of events, such as our French Christmas Café, our Languages Festival, Spelling Bees and Quizlet Live Tournaments as well as language immersion trips to Mexican restaurants to practise language in context. As pupils move further up the school, they have the opportunity to go to Costa Rica to show off their languages in real life immersion situations. As part of our development of linguists, pupils are given short modelling experiences of how to independently start learning a new language, with fortnight taster studies of Latin, Italian, German, Portuguese and Romanian.
Our A level students achieve working fluency, able to offer their skills in the workplace to prospective employers. They develop a deep cultural understanding of Spanish or French culture and history, as well as outstanding language skills. This might lead them towards careers in government, diplomacy, international sport, the charity sector, the logistics, tourism or hospitality industries, international business, journalism, or as an addition to another discipline to give an international element to any career path. We invite professionals and academics from a range of backgrounds to speak with our A level students to shed light on the topics they study or on their potential futures.
At Key Stage 3, our students hit the ground running in Spanish, with the option to study French in Years 8-9. They develop extended writing and conversational skills, producing language in a wide range of contexts such as vlogs, blogs, role-plays, newspaper articles, drama and podcasts as well as using online platforms for intensive language practice. Additionally, the curriculum includes a cultural component, introducing students to places, foods, traditions and festivals in the countries where the target languages are spoken.
French Curriculum at KS3:
Spanish Curriculum at KS3:
Key Stage 4 French:
At this stage, students prepare for the Cambridge IGCSE French (0520) examination. The course enriches students’ linguistic capabilities while expanding their global perspectives. Our curriculum aims to mould students into articulate communicators and analytical thinkers, thus boosting employability and satisfying university entrance requirements.
French Modules:
Key Stage 4 Spanish:
Here, students gear up for the Cambridge IGCSE Spanish (0530) examination. Learning Spanish not only sharpens cognitive and communication skills but also broadens international outlooks. Students are readied for diverse career paths that require linguistic dexterity and cross-cultural understanding.
Spanish Modules:
At Key Stage 5 (KS5), students undertaking WJEC A-Level Spanish (B810) experience a comprehensive education that not only refines language skills but also cultivates critical thinking, cultural understanding, and personal growth. The course prepares students for global career paths and further educational opportunities abroad, while fostering intercultural competence and open-mindedness.
Spanish AS Level:
Film: ‘El laberinto del fauno‘
Topics Include:
Spanish A2 Level:
Novel: ‘Como agua para chocolate‘
Topics Include:
In summary, our KS5 MFL curriculum aims to produce well-rounded, globally aware individuals who are proficient in their chosen language, equipped for an interconnected world.