MODERN LANGUAGES
The Modern Languages department is thriving and enthusiastic , and it is passionate about fostering a love in our students for languages and their cultures . We are fortunate enough to have a large number of native speakers , both as classroom teachers and conversation assistants , allowing us to cater for students of all levels , from complete beginners to bilingual students . All students study at least one language all the way through the school , and many continue their studies of languages at university .
Students who join Sevenoaks in Year 7 study either French or Spanish as their first modern language . Both languages can be studied as a beginners ’ course or continuation if they have already started learning the language before joining the school . In Year 8 , they start learning a second modern language from German , Mandarin , Russian or Spanish .
Since we place great emphasis on practising the foreign language in the country , all students have the opportunity to visit the country where their chosen language is spoken .
The Modern Languages courses focus on developing students ’ ability to understand and communicate effectively in the target language as well as offering insights into the culture and civilisation of the countries where the language is spoken . In lessons , students learn about a variety of topics ranging from transactional language to grammatical structures and idiomatic expressions . The topics covered in Year 7 and Year 8 as well as the skills developed give the students a solid foundation to further their studies and sit public examinations in future years . Students are encouraged to challenge themselves while being provided with suitable support to enhance their learning . We aim to provide a safe environment where students feel confident when using the foreign languages .
In the Modern Languages faculty we strive to deliver dynamic , interactive and engaging lessons . Students get acquainted with all aspects of the language while being exposed to large amounts of target language . We are firm believers in offering our students the possibility to develop their linguistic skills inside and outside the classroom and organise a wide range of clubs and societies as well as day trips and activities . Lunchtime reading clubs for bilingual students , speaking competitions or theatre productions give our students the opportunity to experience the languages they are learning outside the classroom , improving their linguistic skills as well as their cultural awareness .
THE LOWER SCHOOL | AT SEVENOAKS 27