The department consists of twelve teachers, aided by five language assistants from France, Germany, Spain and China. There are separate heads of department for French, German, Spanish and Chinese in addition to the MFL Coordinator. The department is housed in Big School and has seven classrooms, all equipped with interactive boards, data projector and audiovisual equipment. One classroom has a mini computer suite of Apple Macs and we also make regular use of the school's four ICT suites.
- Lower School
- Middle School
- Sixth Form
- Teaching Style
- Philosophy
- Extra-curricular
- Exchanges and trips
- Further information
Lower School
All boys joining the first year learn French for half a year, followed by German for half a year. Boys are taught in form groups. At the end of the first year they choose between French or German and continue with the chosen language in mixed ability groups in the second year and beyond.
Middle School
In the Third Year, all boys learn either French or German as their main language and the expectation is for them to continue with this language to IGCSE. They are also given the opportunity to learn a second and possibly third modern language and can choose from Spanish, French, German and Mandarin Chinese.
Third year French pupils are taught in mixed ability groups until halfway through the Michaelmas term, when they sit a formal setting test. On the basis of this and class performance, two top sets are selected. The remaining sets continue to be taught in mixed ability groups, as are all German, Spanish and Mandarin classes.
In the fourth year all boys must study at least one modern language to IGCSE and in fact many study two and some study three. The decision has recently been made to switch to the IGCSE qualification for French, German and Spanish. Our first cohorts in 2011 earned some very pleasing results indeed. Boys opting for Chinese will study the new EDEXCEL GCSE course.
Sixth Form
French, German and Spanish are offered to Advanced Level and for each we are following the AQA exam syllabus. Sixth form language uptake is good and many take their languages further, whether by opting for a languages degree or by combining a language with another subject such as history, international management or engineering. Boys focusing on science, maths, humanities etc are encouraged to consider studying in addition a modern language at least to AS Level to enhance their skill base. The possibility of taking an ‘Erasmus Year' abroad whatever subject is being studied at university is becoming increasingly appealing.
Italian and Russian are also offered to GCSE (EDEXCEL) in the sixth form.
Teaching Style at Abingdon
Whilst emphasis is put on the ability of our pupils to communicate effectively in everyday situations, the teaching of grammar has an unassailable position in our approach. Pupils are formally tested on grammar or vocabulary weekly. The language in the classroom is the target language unless there are educationally valid reasons for resorting to English. Full use is made of information technology, songs, role plays and games in our teaching. Considerable importance is placed on the qualities useful for further study: an ability to read continuous prose texts with ease and a reasonable grasp of cultural and historical background.
Philosophy
The pattern of choices that has evolved aims to provide a coherent strategy for language learning throughout each pupil's career at Abingdon. The emphasis is on providing the skills necessary to learn any language from scratch as well as achieving the highest standard possible in any one, two or possibly three languages. The breadth and the diversity of language choice is an integral part of the modern languages strategy at Abingdon.
Extra-curricular
We run two weekly languages for the Lower and Middle School, one of which is run jointly with the School of St Helen and St Katharine, where boys and girls experience a range of different languages through games, puzzles and songs. We also have a Modern Languages Society for the Sixth Form, also run in conjunction with the St Helen's, which offers social event, dinners, talks, discussion groups, cinema and theatre trips etc. Various other activities take place over the course of the year, such as visiting theatre performances. We also offer regular drop-in help clubs for all languages and year groups.
Exchanges and trips
The Abingdon Modern Languages Department offers an exceptionally wide range of trips abroad - an indication of the level of commitment of our staff. We consider trips to be extremely valuable from a broader educational point of view, as well as for working on language skills. We run a series of exchanges and study trips with partner schools in Aix en Provence, Bielefeld and Santiago de Compostela. Additionally boys in the Lower School have the opportunity to visit Normandy and, in the following year, Cologne. There is also a trip to a German market. Our third year French boys are offered the opportunity to visit Paris and Disneyland in December. Boys in the Sixth Form take part in a study tour to Paris, Berlin or Spanish city. We also run a trip to Beijing and Zhejiang in China.
Further Information
Further information about the modern languages department curriculum can be found in the curriculum documents available for download on the main curriculum page.